Creating research with communities
Our Participatory Research Fund awarded by Research England was set up in 2021 to support researchers and non-academic partners to work together to co-create knowledge whilst sharing power and responsibility.
For external partners
Applications to the Participatory Research Fund must be led by a member of staff or student.
If you already have a University collaborator, please discuss your project with them. If you are not yet connected with anyone in the University, get in touch with our fund coordinators who'd be happy to discuss ideas and explore links.
Since 2021 we have funded 42 projects through the Participatory Research Fund. These have covered topics including young people’s mental health, building courage amongst teachers and school students, health and safety policy, sustainable food choices, uncovering the effects of covid, and much more.
What's been funded so far?
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Round 3: 2023-2024
In Round 3 we awarded ten projects.
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Round 2: 2022-2023
In Round 2 we awarded nine projects.
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Round 1: 2021-2022
In Round 1 we awarded twenty-three projects.
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Find out more...
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Case study: Responding to a community-based research need
Lead researcher Tracy Helliwell applied for Participatory Research Funding in 2022 to establish a project focusing on improving the mathematical learning experiences of students in a local secondary school, especially those who were most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Tracy worked with three mathematics teachers and several groups of students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9).
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Case study: Using creative methods to engage young people
Chris Jarrold and Meg Attwood from the School of Psychological Science applied for Participatory Research Funding in 2021 to work with young people and two partner organisations. They used creative methods throughout the project, and produced an exhibition of the young people's project outputs.
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Case study: Increasing the diversity of voices included in research
Lesel Dawson applied for Participatory Research Funding in 2021 and 2022 to work on a co-produced resource on perinatal bereavement. Following feedback in the first round of funding, a key focus of the project in Round 2 was to bring new voices into the co-production process to make the final resource more inclusive.
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Case study: Training community-based researchers
Lead researcher Catherine Dodds applied for Participatory Research Funding in 2022 to work with community researchers with lived experience of blood borne viruses (BBVs). Aiming to impact the national policy agenda, they set up the Community Auditing of Risk Assessments (CARA) team to conduct an audit of local institutions’ health and safety policies.
University Staff and Students
Develop your knowledge and skills with training opportunities and resources via the Public Engagement Intranet.