Loughborough University, the University of Leicester and De Montfort University are working together to offer their support, through paid, full-time PhD, and part-time placements, to individuals keen to improve the lives of communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The Collaboratory Research Hub programme is an eight-year ambitious project that commenced in 2022, initially as part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement before bringing in the three Leicestershire universities – along with the Leicestershire Universities Partnership Civic Agreement into the fold from April this year.
The programme aims to bring together academia and the community to support growth and development within communities, broaden prospects, drive change, and improve wellbeing.
The research projects have been created to solve real-life problems in the community, designed following input from researchers and those involved in local civic and community organisations.
Applications are now open. The project team is particularly keen to hear from individuals with a professional or community-centred background. Those with experience and a passion for creating positive change in their communities are encouraged to apply – even if they don’t hold traditional university qualifications.
Successful PhD applicants will undertake a paid, three-year period of research on Collaboratory’s fully funded Doctoral Training Programme, resulting in a PhD qualification. Successful Research Placement applicants will undertake a paid, part-time period of research, over 12 weeks, resulting a formal Certificate of Recognition.
Professor Emily Keightley, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Vibrant and Inclusive Communities at Loughborough University, said: “Collaboratory has created a range of opportunities for community members to undertake research that drives real-world change in local contexts. We welcome the opportunity this provides for learning with our community stakeholders, and developing new partnership approaches to engaged research.
“We are delighted to announce the next round of these doctoral research opportunities and look forward to working with a new cohort of change-makers on some of the most pressing challenges facing our local communities.”
Professor Katy Bennett, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Leicester, added: “If you’ve ever thought about doing a PhD but felt it wasn’t for someone like you, this is for you. The University of Leicester is working with people who bring curiosity, care, and life skills to help shape research that matters to the city and region. This is part of a wider shift towards research done with communities, guided by local priorities and lived experience.”
Professor Iain Williamson, Senior Lecturer of Health Psychology at De Montfort University said: “Our first Collaboratory call out showed just how powerful community partnerships are. DMU was able to work with local organisations to co-create exciting and meaningful PhD projects that are rooted in the issues our communities are dealing with.
"Collaboratory is designed to open doors to people who may not have taken the traditional PhD route but who bring invaluable skills and perspectives from their own lives and work.
"As we launch this next round of applications, we’re excited to build on that success and continue turning local expertise into research that benefits our communities.”
The PhD projects that are available explore challenges such as:
- Community-led approaches to retrofitting homes to improve health and address fuel poverty
- Building a culturally inclusive bereavement support ecosystem through improved communication in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland
- Supporting South-Asian children’s health and wellbeing in in Leicester through exploring sleep priorities.
- Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future: Delivering a Youth Transformation Programme for volunteers at the Great Central Railway (GCR), Leicestershire
- Effective Community Leadership in Flood-Affected Areas: Understanding and Enhancing the Role of Flood Wardens in Leicestershire and Rutland
- Improving the health and wellbeing of the Beaumont Leys community through the great outdoors of Bradgate Park
- Exploring the power and potential of the Mowmacre Sports and Education Campus to address local community health inequalities
The research placements that are open for applications include:
- Mapping Creative Health Assets in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR): Mobilising arts, culture and creativity to tackle health inequalities
- Establishing Community Custodians of local fossil heritage at Charnwood Forest Geopark
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30th November.
Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to attend an information webinar, drop-in day, or application workshop to learn more about the Collaboratory programme, the research projects, how to apply and what the expectations are. Full details can be found on the Collaboratory website.
More information about the Collaboratory Programme.