The groundbreaking Collaboratory Research Hub programme is looking for local workers, people who are active in the community, and those with lived experience of facing complex challenges to take part in upcoming paid events that will help set the research agenda...
Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham are calling on committed local community members to participate in shaping future research projects through the "Notts Voice in Research" initiative. This campaign, part of the Collaboratory programme, aims to ensure that new research that will be funded addresses the real-world challenges faced by Nottingham and Nottinghamshire communities.
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 last year. It brings together researchers, community organisations, and local citizens to deliver meaningful change through collaborative research. Over the next eight years, the programme will train 77 PhD candidates and 37 Research Placement candidates in locally relevant, challenge-based research, all guided by the insights and priorities of Nottinghamshire communities.
Dr. Matthew Young, Collaboratory Research Hub Programme Manager, emphasises the importance of community involvement: "Collaboratory's mission is to deliver research that can support positive, evidence-based change for Notts communities, but this is not something the Universities can do alone. To do this, we need our communities to share their lived-experience and insights to tell us what's important to them and what challenges our research needs to address in order to make a difference. That's where our Notts Voice in Research initiative comes in - it gives local people a voice in research."
Community members, including teachers, community leaders, youth workers, charity professionals, local civic and community-focused organisations, and more, are invited to share their unique perspectives and experiences on issues that matter most to them. This collaborative approach ensures that Collaboratory’s next research projects are co-created with those directly affected, leading to more impactful change for local communities.
Collaboratory are looking for people who have an in-depth understanding of specific issues that affect Nottingham City communities to join our initiative and collaborate with Nottingham’s universities. This includes members of the local community through the services you deliver at work (such as NHS, other healthcare, local council, schools, charities, voluntary organisations), Nottingham City residents who play an active role in their community, or residents with firsthand experience of complex challenges they feel are a priority.
There will be a Notts Voice in Research event taking place on 27 March 2026 at Nottingham Central Library, with attendees compensated with a £30 Love2Shop voucher for their time and contributions. The event will begin with a community priority workshop, offering an introduction to research, exploring how we define our communities, identifying the challenges they face, and connecting people, place, and key local issues. The workshop will run on Friday 27 March, from 12:30 - 3pm.
If you are able to get involved, they’d love to hear from you. Your participation will help ensure that the research conducted addresses the real needs and challenges of local communities. The experience will also provide insights into the world of research and further opportunities to participate.
More information and how to register for the Notts Voice in Research workshop
Collaboratory website.
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