Institute for Community Studies

Getting beyond the jargon 

Blog 25 January 2023

The Levelling Up White Paper brought the term ‘social infrastructure’ out of the shadows. But what does it mean, and why is it important? Richard Harries shares his thoughts. 

Building resilient communities and tackling geographic inequalities

News 25 January 2023

Our collaborative research – delivered with the British Academy, Power to Change, and the Bennett Institute for Public Policy – explores the role and importance of ‘social infrastructure’.

Hive Minds: Funding a more participatory future for citizen science

Blog 13 January 2023

This panel discussion reflects on the findings of a review of UKRI’s Citizen Science Exploration Grant-funded projects, and explores ways to support participatory research approaches. 

Transforming tomorrow

Blog 13 January 2023

Dr Steve Scott describes UKRI’s journey in supporting citizen science, working to enable diverse groups to participate with, and collaborate in, the research and innovation process.

From tomato seeds in space to particles from comets

Blog 13 January 2023

Dr. Marc Kuchner, Chief Science Officer at NASA, reflects on his organisation’s extensive work using citizen science approaches.

Perspectives from the field of citizen science

Blog 13 January 2023

How is citizen science being used, what’s the view on the ground, and what does it take to share good practice and scale up?

Citizen science, health research, and the fight against Covid-19

Blog 13 January 2023

Professor Tim Spector shares insights from the world’s biggest citizen science health project – the ZOE Health Study – which provided data in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Speaking truth to power’

Blog 3 January 2023

Hearing from young people around the UK, this short film reflects on their civic journeys to becoming active citizens – and explores the change that’s needed to increase engagement. 

The Civic Journey: Summary of emerging findings

Publication 19 December 2022

Emerging findings from our youth-led programme, inspiring engagement in social action, community activism and democratic participation across the UK.

‘Let’s seize the optimism of this moment’

Blog 5 December 2022

Advisory Board member Page Nyame-Satterthwaite reflects on her recent visit to Parliament to discuss the youth-led Civic Journey programme.

Webinar: Looking back, moving forward: how to fund and support community businesses

Blog 29 November 2022

This panel event explored what we have learned about supporting community businesses.

New project will ‘support people of all faiths and circumstances’

News 25 October 2022

Project to develop a Group Theory of Change supports CUF’s broader ambition to understand ‘what works’ for hyperlocal faith-based social action.