Engaged research projects

Opening up Participatory Research programme (2023-25)

Supported by UKRI-Research England Participatory Research funds, these projects are focused on activities that will help us to gain a better understanding of the participatory research landscape at The University of Manchester and: 

• Build longer-term capacity in participatory research.
• Capture learning from activities funded through this and earlier rounds of funding.
• Provide case studies for use in training and reports on impact and engagement (for UoM and the wider sector).
• Have more sustained impact on practice across the institution.

Whilst this programme of work had its origins in our efforts to 'open up participatory research,' projects will inform our support for the host of engaged research practices we uncovered along the way, which faced many of the same barriers and needs. 

The image used for the cover for this section was taken during a workshop led by Inspiring Futures Partnership CIC.

Current projects (responding to stage I findings)

• The Co-Pro Futures Inquiry – UoM co-lead, Professor Liz Richardson. Jointly funded with the University of Liverpool (co-lead, Professor Catherine Durose) and The University of Sheffield (co-lead Beth Perry).
• Community Conversations – Research Strategy Team and Civic/Public Engagement teams.
• Creating a more flexible and responsive system for engaged research – Project lead April Lockyer (Head of Research Governance, Ethics and Integrity) plus working groups.
• Embedding co-produced, community-led evaluation in participatory research – Manchester Urban Institute (led by Professor Karen Lucas and Dr Joanna Barrow).
• Evolving evaluation: professional stakeholder perspectives on impact, engagement, and reporting in participatory arts and arts-based participatory research - Project leads Creative Manchester and the Whitworth Art Gallery.
• Over-researched communities – Tina Cribbin (Community Researcher and Poet), Dr Niamh Kavanagh and Dr Camilla Lewis.
• Stories of Change - Co-creating guidance for participatory evaluations and reflections – Project leads Inspiring Futures Partnership CIC and Professor Sarah-Marie Hall (in collaboration with The Ideas Fund).

Previous projects (stage I)

• 360-degree externally-led participatory evaluation of co-produced research – Manchester Urban Institute (led by Professor James Evans, Professor Karen Lucas and Dr Joanna Barrow).
• Ethical participatory research practice in cultural institutions – The Whitworth Art Gallery (UoM leads Poppy Bowers and Holly Shuttleworth with Dr Janna Graham, Goldsmiths).
• Evaluating Arts-Based Participatory Research Approaches in Cultural Partnerships with Creative Manchester - Professor John McAuliffe, Dr Leandro Valiati, Dr Henry McPherson, Dr Tessa Harris. 
• Local Matters Social Justice CPD – Dr Carl Emery, Dr Louisa Dawes, Sandra Clare and Karen Healey with Manchester Museum.
• Opening up Participatory Research: Externally-led thematic review and mapping of the ecosystem at The University of Manchester – Dr Dominic Galliano, Dr Bentley Crudgington and Dr Charlotte Thorley.
• Opening up Participatory Research: Thematic films – Modify Productions and Dr Bentley Crudgington in collaboration with Dr Laura Breen (Research Development and Impact Manager).
• Uncertain Futures: methodology toolkit, case study (Manifesto) and contribution Map – UoM co-lead Dr Elaine Dewhurst. Jointly funded with Manchester Metropolitan University (co-lead Dr Sarah Campbell).

Projects supported by earlier rounds of UKRI-Research England Participatory Research funding

Click on the boxes below to expand them and view the details of earlier projects, which supported participatory elements of research projects and evaluation.