Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the University of Nottingham (UoN) are inviting people from the local community to apply for paid, full-time PhD, and part-time Placement research projects that aim to improve the lives of communities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire...
The Collaboratory Research Hub programme is an eight-year ambitious project that aims to bring together academia and the community to support growth and development within communities, broaden prospects, drive change, and improve wellbeing. In this project research projects are 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 open now for their 2026 intake and the project team is looking for individuals who have a professional or community-centred background and experience and passion for creating positive change in the community. Even if you don’t hold typical university qualifications you are still welcome to apply.
The new PhD-level projects that are available explore challenges such as:
- Reviving the past to inform the future: enhancing young people’s political literacy in Nottingham and region through history and performance
- Exploring the Health and Social Impacts of Community-Based Walking Football
- Beyond Green: Community Participation towards Resilient Urban Nature
- Empowering regions for better homes? Devolved governance for warm, healthy and energy-efficient housing.
Apply for a Collaboratory 2026 PhD project here
The research placements that are open for applications include:
- Teaching Religion in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: Culturally-Sensitive Resources for Inclusive Classrooms
- Exploring Barriers to Awareness and Access for Black and Minority Females from Deprived Areas in Nottinghamshire into STEM Apprenticeships
Apply for a Collaboratory 2026 Research Placement here
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30 November.
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.
Rebekah Smith McGloin, Director of Research Culture and Environment at Nottingham Trent University said: “This is an opportunity for the community to get involved with research that makes a real difference to the lives and livelihoods of people in Nottingham. We’re inviting individuals with lived experience, passion and insight to help shape and deliver research that responds directly to local challenges. Collaboratory is about breaking down barriers to research and creating a space where community knowledge is valued just as highly as academic expertise.”
Dr Shaun French, Collaboratory Lead for the University of Nottingham, said: “Collaboratory isn’t just about excellent research opportunities, it’s about joining a community of people who are passionate about making a difference locally. Researchers and community members come together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and co-create solutions to the challenges that matter most to Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which helps to positively shape our region. It’s an inclusive space where everyone’s experience and insight are valued.”
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.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
