Repository
A curated and searchable collection of community-related research reports, case studies and publications
Civic Universities and Climate Education
Published: 2025
This review brings together recent literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples, to understand the state of climate education in England. With an ultimate focus on challenging the role of universities in delivering a climate education, this publication looks at who is influencing the climate education agenda, how climate educati…
Civic Universities and Green Spaces: Exploring the current and potential impact on the wellbeing of local communities, staff, and students
Published: 2025
This paper reviews evidence around the relationship between green space, health and wellbeing in the context of universities. It highlights some key mechanisms through which green spaces achieve a positive impact on wellbeing – as spaces for physical activity, as social infrastructures, and as mitigation against the impacts of climate change …
Civic Universities and Regional Skills Gaps: University-FE college collaborations
Published: 2025
Recognising the potential for greater collaboration between universities and further education colleges and a lack of evidence on this topic, this review responds to the following questions: When are universities better placed to meet skills gaps, and when are FE colleges? How might they partner together to address a more localised skills agend…
Civic Universities and Their Neighbours: Exploring sites and practices of meaningful engagement between students and local communities
Published: 2025
This review brings together literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples to explore sites and practices of meaningful engagement between university students and local communities. It looks at the known sites and practices of engagement in England, student and community experiences of engagement, and what conditions may make it m…
Community ownership: A better form of business 2024
Published: 2024
‘A Better Form of Business’ is a series of research reports on community-owned businesses that have been completed annually by the Plunkett Foundation since 2011. The reports offer evidence on the needs and health of the community business sector, trends in growth and services, and the important social, economic and environmental impact tha…
Healthy Universities, People and Places: Exploring institutions’ potential impact on student, staff and community wellbeing
Published: 2024
Covering frameworks for ‘healthy universities’, partnerships with health networks, mental health support, and community health promotion, this review explores how universities can contribute to the health and wellbeing of their students, staff, and local communities.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and soci…
Shaping Sustainable Universities: Examining the role of civic universities in contributing to a just transition to net zero
Published: 2024
Exploring how universities can contribute to a just transition to net zero carbon emissions, this review outlines key areas for university climate impact: reducing emissions, sharing knowledge for sustainability, and supporting local initiatives.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact of universities …
Society, Culture and Locally-Connected Universities: Exploring institutions’ social and cultural contributions to their local place
Published: 2024
Examining universities’ social and cultural contributions to their communities, this evidence review discusses universities as ‘place-makers’, bridging divides, the impacts of student volunteering, and how universities are supporting local arts and culture.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact…
Universities and ‘Economic Placemaking’: Assessing the current and potential economic impact of universities on their places
Published: 2024
Delving into universities’ economic impact on their local areas, this review highlights universities as drivers of local employment and spending, the importance of supporting social mobility and graduate retention, how to foster innovation, and reviews alternative economic paradigms.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the ec…
Community Ownership: A Way Forward for Wales
Published: 2024
This report evidences community needs and evaluates existing policies and legislation in Scotland and England, identifying strengths and weaknesses to provide lessons for future “community rights” in Wales. This research was commissioned and funded by Building Communities Trust (BCT) and undertaken by Plunkett Foundation.
Our journey to net zero: Understanding household and community participation in the UK’s transition to a greener future
Published: 2024
Our new report warns the government’s existing net zero transition policies are likely to make the poor poorer, and push struggling communities further into deprivation and exclusion.
This research – which was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and developed with the University of Leeds, University of York and Trinity College Dublin – f…
The Civic Journey: introducing the idea
Published: 2023
The Civic Journey is a transformational two-year youth-led programme that was launched in September 2021. Against a backdrop of increasing evidence concerning social polarisation and community fragmentation, the programme focuses on illuminating and unleashing the civic potential of young people to reinvigorate communities, identify innovative …