Search Results

Civic Universities and Regional Skills Gaps: University-FE college collaborations

Repository entry 1 January 2025

Recognising the potential for greater collaboration between universities and further education colleges and a lack of evidence on this topic, this review responds to the following questions: When are universities better placed to meet skills gaps, and when are FE colleges? How might they partner together to address a more localised skills agend…

Civic Universities and Their Neighbours: Exploring sites and practices of meaningful engagement between students and local communities

Repository entry 1 January 2025

This review brings together literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples to explore sites and practices of meaningful engagement between university students and local communities. It looks at the known sites and practices of engagement in England, student and community experiences of engagement, and what conditions may make it m…

‘Research and innovation are about hope and empowerment’

Blog 18 December 2024

At our Community Research Networks Away Days, Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), shared a vision for a more ‘open and inclusive’ future.

‘Challenging a disconnect between communities and research’

Blog 16 December 2024

Supporting community-led networks can challenge a ‘dysfunctional relationship’ in research, say UKRI’s Tom Saunders and David Chapman, and The Young Foundation’s Helen Goulden.

£10m project will build stronger communities across the UK

News 10 December 2024

New £10m C4 Centre, led by Sheffield Hallam University, will strengthen community leadership and build a more connected UK.

Heritage organisations drive ‘meaningful and sustainable’ change

News 5 December 2024

As our Heritage Innovation Fund partnership moves into its third phase, organisations across the UK continue to innovate creative new ways of working. 

Meet the networks

Find out more about our nine Community Research Networks, funded by UKRI and supported by The Young Foundation to drive positive change around the UK.

Community Research Networks

Community Research Networks programme is a two-phase funding opportunity, putting communities at the heart of research.

£9m investment will address regional priorities across the UK

News 2 December 2024

Our partnership with UKRI will support nine local networks to ensure research and innovation is ‘by everyone, for everyone, everywhere’.

Community ownership: A better form of business 2024

Repository entry 1 December 2024

‘A Better Form of Business’ is a series of research reports on community-owned businesses that have been completed annually by the Plunkett Foundation since 2011. The reports offer evidence on the needs and health of the community business sector, trends in growth and services, and the important social, economic and environmental impact tha…

Healthy Universities, People and Places: Exploring institutions’ potential impact on student, staff and community wellbeing

Repository entry 1 December 2024

Covering frameworks for ‘healthy universities’, partnerships with health networks, mental health support, and community health promotion, this review explores how universities can contribute to the health and wellbeing of their students, staff, and local communities.

This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and soci…

Shaping Sustainable Universities: Examining the role of civic universities in contributing to a just transition to net zero

Repository entry 1 December 2024

Exploring how universities can contribute to a just transition to net zero carbon emissions, this review outlines key areas for university climate impact: reducing emissions, sharing knowledge for sustainability, and supporting local initiatives.

This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact of universities …