The Community Led Research Pilot was an exciting pilot based in Reading and Slough, that put communities at the heart of the research process – inviting them to develop and deliver their own research. The Community Led Research Pilot is part of our ongoing Community Engagement work at the British Science Association.
This initiative was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and co-created with the British Science Association, the University of Reading, and communities that were new to or traditionally underrepresented in research. The six research projects were led by: Slough Anti-Litter Society, Together as One, Reading HongKongers, TRIYBE, The Engine Room and the Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC) in Reading.
The Importance of Community Led Research
Community led research puts communities in the driving seat – allowing them to develop their own research questions and decide what the focus will be. This approach ensures communities’ local needs and priorities are being addressed, but also taps into the unique insights they can provide.
The pilot aimed to support local people and community groups to feel that research and science is more accessible, and to highlight the value communities can bring to research by improving both its quality and relevance.
How the pilot worked
The Community Led Research Pilot took place in Reading and Slough with the University of Reading as our academic partner, building on their experience of participatory action research and public engagement within their local communities.
Communities were supported by community researchers and researchers from the University of Reading to explore local priorities on wide-ranging topics and themes linked to science that matter to them.
Throughout this process, the pilot aimed to create a legacy, forming new networks and more equitable ways of working between local communities and the research sector and by building confidence, interest, and ownership when it comes to research, and science more broadly.
The Research Projects
Together as One
Together as One, a youth-led charity in Slough, worked with Professor Ciara McCabe, a psychologist, to explore the link between engaging in environmental social action to improve young people’s mental health. Through training, youth work, and creative projects, they investigated the potential positive effects of participating in an urban beekeeping project on the mental wellbeing of young people.
Community Leader: Rob Deeks, CEO Together As One
University of Reading researchers: Prof Ciara McCabe (Neuroscience and Mental Health), Sena Demir Kassem (Postgraduate)
“The idea for this project came from the young people we work with. It was born from a real concern for the environment and wanting to connect more with the natural world. Success for us looks like happy, confident young beekeepers making the wider community proud of their beekeeping. An evidence base to show that beekeeping is impactful on the young people……and lots of honey.” – Rob Deeks
Slough Anti-Litter Society (SALS)
The Slough Anti-Litter Society, founded on a vision for a cleaner and greener Slough, encourages residents to clean up, reduce waste, and embrace sustainable practices. Through community litter picks, upcycling fashion events, clothes swaps, and a repair café they are bringing the community together. Working with Professor Keiichi Nakata and Dr. Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer, this community of volunteers wanted to find out about the community's attitude and behaviour toward littering, through community organising and digital technology. They are currently developing a framework intending to utilise research data to encourage behaviour change among locals and hold businesses accountable for their environmental impact.
Community Leader: Tirza Meinema, SALS
University of Reading researchers: Prof Keiichi Nakata (Informatics, Henley Business School), Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer (Law)
“Our community led research is unique because it puts the power of understanding and change directly in the hands of Slough residents. We gain invaluable insights into the specific reasons behind littering in our neighbourhoods, allowing us to develop targeted solutions that truly resonate within our community.” –Tirza Meinema
Reading HongKongers
Reading HongKongers Community Interest Company (CIC), founded in 2022, supports Hongkongers who have settled in the Berkshire area through the government scheme of British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa route and supports them to integrate into the local community. Working with Dr Deepti Angra and Dr Sarah Duddigan, they supported the Reading HongKongers to investigate the impacts of community gardening on belonging, identity, cohesion, biodiversity and mental wellbeing. Additionally, they aimed to find out the possibility of cultivating native Hong Kong plants and crops in Reading.
"We humbly learn from Nature, embrace changes, connect humans to humans, and build our multiple identities in the new land." - Pandora Liu
Community Leaders: Pandora Liu and Shan Wong,Reading Hongkongers CIC
University of Reading researchers: Dr Deepti Angra ( Crop science,Agriculture Policy and Development), Dr Sarah Duddigan (Environmental Science, Government Economic Service
“In my current role as a crop scientist, I am growing the oriental crops in Hong Kong simulated conditions in growth chambers. This will be followed by tests to compare their nutritional quality with those grown by communities in the UK weather conditions.” – Dr Deepti Angra
TRIYBE
TRIYBE are a community group in Reading who support communities and individuals to create positive change by challenging systems of oppression, racism and inequality. Through extensive community engagement, Claudette Maharaj (founder and Director), Tyler Hinkson of CreativeGen and Sharon Titus from Black Treacle Talks have co-created Project Natura. Supported by researchers Symiah Barnett and Dr Tamanda Walker, they investigated the chemicals that go into commonly used black hair products and their impact on the health and cultural identity of the local community.
This initiative aimed to address concerns about the potential health effects of these products and explore natural alternatives that promote both physical well-being and cultural empowerment. Findings from the community highlight a need for increased awareness about product ingredients, as well as a recognition of the strong connection between hair care and cultural heritage. Through Project Natura, the goal is to empower individuals to make informed choices about their hair care practices while fostering a sense of cultural identity and well-being.
Community Leaders: Claudette Maharaj, Tyler Hinkson and Sharon Titus
Researchers: Symiah Barnett (PhD student in Chemistry, Loughborough University) and Dr Tamanda Walker LAHRI (Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leeds)
"Working alongside the team at TRIYBE, I'm leading on all aspects of qualitative research, bringing my understanding of critical race theory, decolonial theory and autoethnography into our work, and making sure lived experience is placed right at the heart of our work to understand how Black hair products influence our sense of community, identity and wellbeing." – Tamanda Walker
"My role within the team is to facilitate experiments that encourage participants to explore Black hair products, empowering participants to lead investigations into their own hair and hair care." – Symiah Barnett
The Engine Room
The Engine Room Sound Laboratory (TERSL) investigated how sound and acoustics influence the well-being of the Dee Park urban community. Led by Philip Newcombe and Lisa-Marie Gibbs, the project explored the sound of emotions through concrete, the impact of colours on well-being, and noise effects on concentration. TERSL gets the local community involved to foster trust and empowerment, ensuring that their research is truly inclusive. They work with a very diverse group of people including the young, older, disabled, neurodivergent, unemployed to foster a truly inclusive community. With over 30 years of experience and collaboration with various community groups, TERSL advocates for urban development practices that prioritise well-being and inclusivity. The project was supported by Ceara Webster and Annet Twinokwesiga.
Community Leaders: Lisa-Marie Gibbs and Philip Newcombe, The Engine Room
Researchers: Ceara Webster (Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, University of Reading and PhD Candidate in Geography, University of Glasgow), Annet Twinokwesiga (Architect and MSc Spatial Planning and Development student, University of Reading)
Integrated Research and Development Centre
The Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC) addresses health and environmental challenges in underrepresented communities, including Nepalese communities, in Reading. They worked with Prof Hong Yang and Dr Deepti Angra and the project aimed to improve gardening practices through Nepalese customs, composting management, and food waste recycling. By growing seasonal vegetables and flowers, the project sought to educate communities about the importance of nutrition, promote physical exercise, and recycling garden waste to improve the environment and people's health and reduce social isolation. The project aimed to engage with minority communities, low income groups, senior citizens and those with disabilities by promoting healthy living, environmental sustainability, mental health and belonging through inclusive gardening.
Community Leaders: Baburam Banstola,Integrated Research and Development Centre
Community Researcher: Krishna Neupane
University of Reading researchers: Prof Hong Yang (Geography and Environmental Science) and Dr Deepti Angra (Crop Science,Agriculture Policy and Development )
“I will be working in the project with the community by doing field visits and advising them and when possible growing their choice of crops in controlled facilities during non-UK non-growing season.” – Dr Deepti Angra
Our partners
All of the partners involved in the Community Led Research Pilot shaped the programme development and delivery, including active participation in the learning programme, being an ambassador of the pilot, and amplifying learnings and successes.
The British Science Association worked with our academic partner, the University of Reading on Early Career researcher recruitment and support. A team of five Early Career researchers from the University of Reading were selected to work on the pilot. In addition, we also worked alongside:
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Community Partner(s) in Reading and Slough: Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) and Slough Community Voluntary Services (SCVS) to provide outreach support to recruit Community researchers and engage communities with the pilot.
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A Learning and Evaluation Partner: We were initially working alongside The Social Change Agency (SCA) to design and deliver a learning programme and evaluate the pilot. The Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) took over the evaluation in 2024 following the withdrawal of the SCA.
We worked closely with all partners with the aim of developing learning and knowledge together, inspiring community led research, and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with science and inform social change.
The University of Reading is well known for its collaborative approach with local people and organisations by using community led and participatory action research (PAR) to tackle local issues and needs.
Supported by Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, the University’s Fellow for Public Engagement with Community Research and co-founder of the Participation Lab, a dedicated team of PAR assistants and community researchers, students and local partner organisations worked on this new pilot. The team has established expertise in empowering local communities to lead research that informs changes in thinking, policy, and practice in Reading and Berkshire.
Examples of previous community led projects from the University of Reading team include:
The outcomes of these projects have meant participatory and community led research is being increasingly embedded in local decision and policymaking.
As part of the Community Led Research Pilot, we partnered with Cobra Collective, who specialise in the innovative practice of participatory video, working with communities to address complex socio-ecological challenges. Find out more about this and watch the videos here.
Community Led Research Pilot Evaluation
The Community Led Research Pilot concluded in early 2025, and we worked in partnership with SCDC to evaluate its impact and outcomes. Learn more about the evaluation.