Methods & TheoryPreserving Place: A Cultural Mapping Exercise
Principal Investigator: Dr Karen Smyth, University of East Anglia
From 2014 to 2015
The project evaluates processes involved in community choice, use and attitude towards place. What places are community groups interested in preserving? What places do they use to preserve their stories? This project is interested in the narratives behind these choices. Read more
In conversation with…:co-designing with more-than-human communities
Principal Investigator: Dr Michelle Bastian; University of Edinburgh
From 2013 to 2014
The aim of this project is to explore how an expanded account of community – one which recognises the active participation of non-humans – might contribute to our understandings of how research can be co-designed and co-produced. Read more
Co-Designing Asset Mapping: Comparative Approaches
Principal Investigator: Dr Giota Alevizou
From 2014 to 2015
Co-Designing Asset Mapping: Comparative Approaches is a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, February 2014 – April 2015. The project has aimed to explore how academics, the public sector, civil society and grass roots movements can work to address needs and cultivate capacities in communities of place and interest. Read more
And the Doctor said…
Principal Investigator: Mark Webster (Staffordshire University)
From 2012 to 2014
‘And the Doctor Said….’ uses creative writing as a method for exploring people’s experiences of healthcare in north Staffordshire. People took part in workshops at community venues, which were led by writers, playwrights and storytellers. Participants shared stories, reflected upon, and wrote about their healthcare experiences. Read more
Authority, knowledge and performance in participatory practice
Principal Investigator: Claire Blencowe (University of Warwick)
2012
Collaborators – Stepping Out Theatre Company; Mad Hatters of Bath; Authority Research Network We used an initial literature survey and consultations with mental health performance groups to feed into a week-long residential workshop for eleven academics and community practitioners. Read more
Performing Abergavenny: creating a connected community beyond divisions of class, locality and history
Principal Investigator: Prof Valerie Walkerdine, Cardiff University
From 2013 to 2014
This project built upon Walkerdine et al’s research in Abergavenny for the Connected Communities Programme, ‘Community as micro-sociality’ (2012-13) which discovered that Abergavenny as a community is geographically disconnected along north/south fault lines, historically related to class and dislocation, and Mackey et al’s project ‘Challenging concepts of ‘liquid’ place through performance practices in community contexts’ (2011-14). Read more
Our Data Ourselves
Principal Investigator: Tobias Blanke
From 2013 to 2015
Our AHRC funded research project: ‘Our Data Ourselves’, will increase our understanding of the nature and role of the data that young people produce when they use social platforms and applications on their smartphones. We have paired with members of Young Rewired State. Read more
Bridging the Gap between Academic Theory and Community Relevance: Fresh Insights from American Pragmatism
Principal Investigator: Professor Mihaela Kelemen, Keele University
From 2013 to 2014
‘Bridging the Gap’ focuses on what is considered ‘actionable’ knowledge by communities and what makes knowledge relevant, useful and/or practical at their end. The four AHRC projects involved in this collaborative grant application share the view that academic theories are not ends in themselves; rather that they must serve the needs of the communities studied. Read more
How should decisions about heritage be made?: Co-designing a research project
Principal Investigator: Dr Helen Graham, University of Leeds
2014
‘How should decisions about heritage be made?’ is an unusual research project because, when we started, we didn’t exactly know what it was about! This is because a team of people from lots of different types of organisations, groups and communities worked together in early 2013 to work together to design the research questions and its methods. Read more
Memories of ‘Mr Seel’s Garden’: Engaging with historic and future food systems in Liverpool
Principal Investigator: Dr Michelle Bastian
From 2012 to 2013
On the outer edges of Liverpool ONE, a 42 acre regeneration area of the city centre, there is a Tesco Superstore. Read more
