A £2.3 million investment is expanding a Midlands-wide initiative that invites community organisations to directly influence university research aimed at addressing local challenges.
The Co(l)laboratory programme now includes universities in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, specifically, the University of Leicester, De Montfort University, and Loughborough University, joining the existing partnership between Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. The eight-year initiative, backed by Research England’s Development Fund, aims to integrate non-traditional voices into research and broaden access to doctoral training.
The programme will fund 77 PhD research projects across the region, including 27 in Leicestershire alone. Each will be based on issues identified by community organisations, with selected partners gaining access to academic resources, research training, and a professional network focused on civic engagement.
The initiative positions community partners as co-creators in the research process, with an emphasis on real-world impact. Organisations involved can develop staff capabilities through CPD training, gain insight from academic research, and access university tools and facilities to support their missions.
The Universities Partnership, originally launched in 2023, underpins the Leicester-led involvement. It aligns universities and local authorities to drive economic development, social inclusion, and public wellbeing. The expanded Co(l)laboratory network marks a strategic step in scaling this civic collaboration.
Community and civic organisations in the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland areas are currently being invited to submit challenges or issues for consideration as potential research projects. Those selected will co-develop solutions with university researchers, embedding community relevance into academic inquiry.
Information sessions are available for interested partners, offering guidance on how to engage with the programme.
