Wednesday 28 February 2024
Engaging families on the importance of their opinions in research development.
Notts Voice in Research is a crowdsourcing platform created by Co(l)laboratory to promote inclusivity in PhD research projects that address the pressing concerns of the people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Recently, we participated in the just ended Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity, organised by Ignite!, a local education charity. The event celebrated science, technology, engineering and maths with interactive, free and fun events across Nottinghamshire. The festival aimed to showcase the exciting world of science and curiosity that is all around us every day.
According to Ignite!, the science festival is about inviting the people of Nottinghamshire to share not only what they know but also what they would like to know. Celebrating curiosity, the event encourages asking questions and taking a leading role in finding out the answers. The Festival works with a wide range of partners, including universities, local authorities, STEM businesses in the region and community organisations.
As part of the Co(l)laboratory research team, the Community Engagement and Comms Coordinator, Alex Nkrumah, and the Civic Engagement Officer, Andrew Holness engaged young ones and their guardians in a series of civic engagement activities on the 10th and 15th February 2024 at the Nottingham Central Library and St Anne’s Library respectively. These activities were aimed at identifying pressing issues in their neighborhoods that require further research.
Notts voice in Research in Nottinghamshire Communities
Young participants demonstrated a keen interest in community research, identifying key issue in their neighborhoods on the Map of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Guardians also had the opportunity to share their thoughts on unique perspectives and experiences on the issues that hold the most significance to them in their local area.
A core mission of Co(l)laboratory is to create new research that is centred on the priorities and lived experiences of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire communities and bringing together academia and the community to tackle local challenges under the five themes of the Civic Agreement: economic prosperity; education partnership, skills and employment; environmental sustainability; health and wellbeing; and community connections.
