Led by Lincoln University

Working in partnership with London Goldsmiths University and Manchester Metropolitan University, Lincoln is leading this research cluster, developing innovative approaches to community engagement and empowerment. The cluster has a particular emphasis upon enabling the voices of the most disadvantaged groups to be heard effectively, as part of wider agendas for social change, social solidarity and social justice.

CASE Studentships established:

Goldsmiths University London

In Partnership with Exeter CVS. Focusing on citizen empowerment, including the sustainability of empowerment programmes over time
In Partnership with Somali youth Organisation. Focusing on the role of young Somali people’s self-organisation, addressing issues of community cohesion and empowerment
In Partnership with South Wales WEA. Focusing on the role of third sector organisations, promoting citizenship education for empowerment in the context of devolution

University of Lincoln

In Partnership with Community Empowerment Programme /Local Government Authorities in Lincolnshire. Focusing on communications structures enabling community empowerment in Lincolnshire

Manchester Metropolitan University

In Partnership with Gender and Participation Unit (GAP). Focusing on the meaning and manifestations of 'empowerment' in diverse grassroots women's organisations - how is personal and collective empowerment experienced and harnessed for social and political gains?
A second partnership, agreed with Manchester Refugee Support Network,
is currently being advertised and due to commence in January.
The research question is: An exploration of the role of a membership network and how it can best support the interests or RCO’s and underrepresented groups, (e.g. women) within the Refugee and Asylum seeker communities. This will use MRSN as a case study and work across other Networks for comparison.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) established:

University of Lincoln

In partnership with Children’s Links. The KTP will provide the organisation with new capacity for community based training related to community empowerment, active citizenship and youth work. It is expected to start in January 2010.

Goldsmiths University London

An upcoming partnership is planned with the multi-faith regeneration network and the Community Sector Coalition. It will focus on the role of umbrella organisations and networks in the current policy context - how do they most effectively support their member organisations, without speaking on their behalf, enabling them to make their voices heard in a policy context in which larger organisations are becoming increasingly predominant, with increasing pressures to focus upon government led agendas, and associated dangers of mission drift.

Placements

Manchester Metropolitan University

The first placement is currently being advertised with Greater Manchester Council for Voluntary Organisations as partner. It is due to commence in January. The research theme is 'Was it worth it' an exploration of the benefits of involvement in the LSC/EU funded Towpath Community Grants Programme.

More information and opportunities