UNDER-REPRESENTED communities in Reading and Slough are set to benefit from an innovative project.
The Community Led Research Pilot will see the University of Reading and British Science Association work alongside residents in areas which are new to research.
Together, they will use science to tackle local issues and understand priorities.
Kate Orchard, head of community engagement for the British Science Association, said: “We are delighted to be working with communities in Reading and Slough for this pilot, with the University of Reading as our academic partner.
“Through this work, we hope to build on the University’s extensive experience of public engagement and participatory action research in partnership with local communities.
As part of the pilot, five local community members will be recruited and trained as community researchers.
Supported by Reading Voluntary Action and Slough Council for Voluntary Service, they will work closely with researchers from the university to decide on areas of focus.
Ms Orchard hopes the project will ‘build confidence’ and form ‘equitable ways of working’ between the communities and research sector.
Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, public engagement with community research fellow at the University of Reading, who will lead the research, said: “This exciting new project will take a participatory approach to delivery and decision-making within local communities in Reading and Slough.
“It will allow community researchers to bring their lived experience, skills and knowledge to the project and to develop and deliver research ideas linked to science that are relevant to the local area.”
Dominik Zaum, pro-vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Reading, said: “Sally and colleagues have developed extensive expertise in working with local communities and empowering them to lead research that informs changes in thinking, policy, and practice in Reading and Berkshire.
“Locating research and knowledge generation in communities, and not just in universities and research institutes, enables communities to drive and influence the process of change, which is essential for tackling social injustice and developing sustainable impact.”
The university has delivered other community-led projects such as the Whitley Researchers collective, Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) project and the HSHAZ Oxford Road Storytelling project.
