Pushing Boundaries

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On 10 June 2025 at The British Library, The Young Foundation and UKRI brought together pioneers who are transforming research and innovation through community-driven approaches.

The conference explored how communities are reshaping what research and innovation can be. Attendees discovered inspiring stories and real-world learnings from UKRI-funded projects and beyond, spanning different fields, sectors, and ways of working. Together, we explored how to push boundaries to create better opportunities for everyone to participate in research and innovation, and spark ideas for future collaboration.

The event itself was designed to include hands-on experiences – and attendees had the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative research inquiry, working together to break down barriers and create meaningful change.

Explore the agenda

Meet the speakers

Claire Dhami

Claire Head of Systems Change and Inclusion at West Midlands Combined Authority, leading the Public Sector Innovation agenda, transforming public services across areas like early years, youth unemployment, health and social care, and homelessness.

Stian Westlake

Stian Westlake is Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Helen Goulden OBE

As Chief Executive Officer of The Young Foundation, Helen leads our multi-disciplinary team of researchers and innovators to support stronger communities across the UK.

Professor Alison Park

Professor Alison Park is Deputy Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Kersten England CBE

Passionate about community, social justice, equality, diversity and healthy democratic practice, Kersten’s career over four decades has included work in the voluntary and community sector, higher education, central and local government.

Amelia Clayton

After completing her masters in sociology, Amelia joined The Young Foundation as a research officer. Amelia has a passion for uplifting marginalised voices, especially disabled and chronically ill voices. She is also interested in research into role-playing games, and in fringe subcultures.

Siân Whyte

Siân is passionate about delivering insights that enable organisations to increase their impact. She specialises in a range of methodological approaches, underpinned by research-focused BA and MSc degrees. Her role at The Young Foundation involves overseeing research and design projects for national and local clients.

Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans

Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans is an Associate Professor in Human Geography at the University of Reading and the University’s Public Engagement with Community Research Fellow, with interests in social inequalities, community development and participatory research.

Claire Dhami

Kersten England CBE

Amelia Clayton

Siân Whyte

Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans

Claire Dhami

Community voice

We worked with community researchers and members to help steer the event experience, guide decision-making, and hold organisers and speakers accountable to centring community voice. Meet the accountability group:

Sabah Hussain

Sabah was previously a peer researcher at The Young Foundation, working with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

She says, “I am passionate about these sort of projects. I want to carry on from the community research I was involved with, which was great and gave an insight to how people want to be involved in projects that have an impact on them. I believe inclusion for all is important in such a diverse world.”

Annette Andrew

Last year, Annette participated in a peer research project in the London borough of Hounslow, encouraging residents to share their experiences and ideas on different aspects of living in a greener borough.

They say, “I believe we all have a part to contribute to the places in which we live on a day to day basis. I believe it is very important that everyone has a say and should be given an opportunity to do so. It is their right. The best way to find out how to do this is to ask the participants themselves what worked, what didn’t, and truly listen to what is being shared, taking on board recommendations.”

Mariam Zorba

Mariam was involved in the UKRI-funded Ancient History, Contemporary Belong project with Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Museum and Sheba Arts.

She says, “I am a strong supporter of the statement ‘nothing about us, without us’. I am interested changing participatory research so that that it constructs new communities and relationships, rather than constructing barriers between who is being researched and who is researching. I hope that, by joining the Accountability Group, I can reflect on the success of that project so future research can be conducted more effectively.”

Deborah Alero Nwaloko King

Deborah’s experience of participatory research is broad, embracing various qualitative research methodologies, and using the findings from peer research to address challenges in society. She has more than five years’ experience as a community researcher, making long-lasting impact in the education, health and wellbeing sectors and in faith organisations.

She says, “To be a ‘voice for the voiceless’ is a passionate purpose in my life, to make positive changes in our world today – from family to groups, to communities, to society and globally.”

Jon Dolby

Jon previously participated in HOMEs under the microscope, a UKRI-funded citizen science project with the University of West England.

“My family and I really enjoyed participating in citizen science. We felt valued and able to contribute to something we were genuinely interested in. But more than that, we changed our behaviour as a family after learning the findings from our participatory sample and the study’s results. It made us think differently about what we buy and how we consume, particularly when it comes to clothing.”

Julian Harrison

Julian has used his lived experience of mental illness and autism to help design and operate research and practical work at King’s College London and the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leicester, De Montfort University and Westminster. This includes the UKRI-funded Citizen Science to Achieve Co-production at Scale (C-STACS) project. He is also an Equality and Diversity consultant.

He says, “I would like to use my extensive experience of participatory research and equality, diversity and inclusion to help shape best practice. I believe in combining these two areas, and would like to see research making a real difference on the ground.”

Lorna Bartley

Lorna has participated as a peer researcher in research on ‘community voices’, with the London Borough of Haringey, and retrofitting homes, with The Young Foundation.

“Being a part of this accountability will be interesting and a step forward from the previous projects I have been involved with, like an onward progression of the two.”

Sabah Hussain

Sabah was previously a peer researcher at The Young Foundation, working with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

Annette Andrew

Mariam Zorba

Mariam was involved in the UKRI-funded Ancient History, Contemporary Belong project with Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Museum and Sheba Arts.

Deborah Alero Nwaloko King

Jon Dolby

Jon previously participated in HOMEs under the microscope, a UKRI-funded citizen science project with the University of West England.

Julian Harrison

Lorna Bartley

Lorna has participated as a peer researcher in research on ‘community voices’, with the London Borough of Haringey, and retrofitting homes, with The Young Foundation.

“Being a part of this accountability will be interesting and a step forward from the previous projects I have been involved with, like an onward progression of the two.”

Sabah Hussain

Sabah was previously a peer researcher at The Young Foundation, working with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

Annette Andrew

Mariam Zorba

Mariam was involved in the UKRI-funded Ancient History, Contemporary Belong project with Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Museum and Sheba Arts.

FAQs

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Is the venue accessible?

When you register, please let us know about any adjustments we can make to help with accessibility. If we can make your experience more comfortable by arranging wheelchair spaces, induction loops, a BSL interpreter or by making any other adjustment that will allow you to enjoy the event please let us know when you complete your registration. Further information about the venue is below.

Blue Badge Parking: Parking bays for Blue Badge holders can be found on Ossulston Street. The Ossulston Street entrance is fully ramped and is approximately 100 metres from the main entrance. There are also public metered bays in this area.

Step-free access and seating: Across the British Library, all floors have step-free access and seating is available for visitors around the building. Entrances to the Knowledge Centre have button-assisted opening.

Accessible toilets: Accessible toilets can be found on all floors. Gender neutral toilets are available in the main library. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at King’s Cross station.

Wheelchairs: Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability. Please ask a member of staff on arrival. Please note that assistance cannot be provided in the use of these wheelchairs.

Guide and assistance dogs: We welcome guide dogs and assistance dogs. Dog bowls are available at the Information Desk, Reading Rooms and all cafés at the British Library.

Hearing support systems: Hearing induction loops are installed in the Knowledge Centre breakout rooms (set up on request) and the Piggott Theatre, which also operates the Sennheiser MobileConnect system. The Sennheiser MobileConnect system is a digital hearing system that gives users individual control over their feed by broadcasting to an app. The app is available on both Android and iOS devices. To use the system, download the app to your device. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can borrow one of three pre-loaded devices on arrival at the Knowledge Centre. Just speak to a member of staff.

Prayer and quiet space: A Multi-Faith Prayer and Contemplation Space is available in the main library. Please speak to a member of staff is you would also like access to a quiet space within the Knowledge Centre.