22 June 2023 – Peterborough, UK
ISLAH (Institute for Social Policy, Leadership and Advancement of Humanity) and UCP (University Centre Peterborough) hosted their first Community and Social Research in Peterborough Conference on June 15th, 2023, at the UCP Campus.
The purpose of the research conference was to gain an insight into current research/activities undertaken in Peterborough by academic researchers, community and voluntary organisations, not-for-profit organisations, as well as individual academic researchers and community-based project leads.
The aim of the research conference was to provide a platform for local researchers and project leads to share their research outcomes; to understand how research impacts communities and organisations in Peterborough and to explore how research can shape the future of Peterborough, its organisations, and communities.
The one-day ISLAH/UCP conference featured keynote speakers Professor Ben Rogaly, Professor of Human Geography at the Sussex Centre for Migration Research, much of Ben’s research activity focusses on the city of Peterborough. We also welcomed Professor Sir Les Ebdon, former Director of Fair Access to Higher Education and now advisor to the Department and Trade and Industry and UCP Chair of Governors.
The event showcased 21 presentations across a broad range of topic areas, from education, social inequalities, places and spaces, targeted delivery, collaboration and networks, cultural voices and community research. Each presentation was packed full of information with real-life implications.
The event was SOLD OUT with a waiting list. The buzz and excitement of the day indicative that Peterborough is ready and waiting for its voice to be included in shaping its future.
‘I went to quite an amazing conference yesterday hosted by ISLAH and University Centre Peterborough. The topic was Community and Social Research. The event covered everything from small scale research at an individual level to PhD in depth studies. The contexts of the presentations were varied from charities (iCARE, Citizens Advice Peterborough) through to individuals presenting research on different aspects of community. A really positive, educational and uplifting event…… working towards enhancing life in Peterborough through the dissemination of knowledge and understanding. The whole event also ran like clockwork which was no easy feat!! Thank You!’ (Elaine Parkin, conference attendee).
We will be disseminating the findings from this conference to support the growth and development of grassroots communities and organisations.
For all media enquiries please contact: islahresearchinstitute@gmail.com
ISLAH, Institute for Social Policy, Leadership and Advancement of Humanity, is an independent research institute, established in 2022, to research local issues pertaining to the Muslim and wider communities of Peterborough, United Kingdom. They work to raise the visibility of grassroots voices, facilitate education and community partnership to learn and grow inclusively, empower communities to interact and use data and research findings effectively. More detail about their work could be found at www.islah.uk.
