Co(l)laboratory began as part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement and has given students with typically non-traditional academic backgrounds the chance to make real change and improve the lives of the communities around them. The programme has now been awarded additional funding of £1.8m from the Research England Development Fund, enabling the Leicestershire Universities Partnership to join the project.  

The Co(l)laboratory team is inviting civic and community organisations in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland regions to think about problems they are experiencing and to get in touch to explore a potential collaboration to tackle those issues through research. 

As part of this project, members of the Loughborough community are invited to the Collaboratory Research Project Co-Creation Event on 24 June, 12pm-3pm at DMU Innovation Centre. The aim of the workshop is to help make connections with potential collaborators, explore and expand upon potential research project ideas, and to share expert-developed advice on how to develop collaborative projects. Book your place online. 

Additionally, prospective candidates can now apply for the first fully funded PhD and Research Placement opportunities across the area, designed to address pressing community issues. The project team is looking for individuals, particularly those with a professional or community-centred background; those with experience and passion for creating positive change in the community are invited to apply. Find out more information about the research projects.