Visit our new Engaged Research Hub
22 Apr 2025
Information, guidance and support – with inspiring case studies – for colleagues interested in participatory research, part of our research culture and environment here at Manchester.
The Research Impact Team has launched a new Engaged Research Hub, which includes an overview of ongoing work to improve support for engaged research practices at our University, links to resources, details about related projects, and a series of case study films.
The Hub is the first outcome from a programme of work the team began in Summer 2023, which aimed to build a picture of the participatory research ecosystem here at Manchester, so we could enhance and improve the support we provide.
The films in the Opening up Participatory Research series highlight the themes that came through most clearly – what people spoke about when we asked them about participatory research.
They cover a range of engaged research practices which align with definitions of ‘participatory research’ to a greater or lesser degree, from co-production and participatory methods to collaboration. They also have a distinct hyperlocal focus, which is testament to the strength of our civic engagement, although we are aware they represent a fraction of the work taking place across our University.
The films and the wider review spotlighted the benefits and rewards of engaged research more broadly and identified – and confirmed – common barriers and support needs.
The current Hub is just a starting point – over the next five years and beyond we will be working together across the University to build capacity for engaged research, create opportunities for shared learning, and cultivate more sustainable and reciprocal relationships with those we research with.
You can read more about what we’re doing on our Engaged Research projects page.
If you have any suggestions for resources that we should share, please send them to:
Colleagues can also join the Engaged Research Community Microsoft Teams group and find further details of our wider support for research impact on the Research Impact homepage.
Enabling open and impactful research is one of the four themes of our research culture and environment campaign. Find out more at: