The University of Reading’s Participatory Action Research (PAR) team and the British Science Association, funded by UK Research & Innovation, have been working with six community groups across Reading and Slough, piloting practices for community engagement and the co-production of science-related research.
To celebrate the end of the pilot, a stakeholder event was organised at the University of Reading to share impact and insights from the research and partnerships developed between diverse, seldom-heard communities, academia, and funders.
The Community Groups, the University of Reading and the British Science Association also discussed how we can collectively work together to shape and support the community-led research approach. Slough groups Together As One and Slough Anti-litter Society showcased their work on beekeeping’s effect on young people’s mental wellbeing and encouraging behaviour change towards individuals’ environmental impact respectively. The presentations exemplified the dedication and creativity of community groups in making a difference.
The CLRP aimed to create a legacy, forming new networks and more equitable ways of working between local communities and the research sector and by building confidence, interest, and ownership when it comes to research, and science more broadly. The event was a testament to the power of community-led research and the significant impact it can have on addressing local issues.