The British Science Association (BSA) has today announced the six community organisations that have secured funding through the Community Led Research Pilot, a programme that has been funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and has been co-created by the BSA, UKRI, the University of Reading, and communities that are new to or traditionally underrepresented in research.

The six successful community groups are all based in Reading and Slough and have been awarded grants of up to £9,200 each. They will each work alongside researchers, many of whom are based at the University of Reading, to develop their own research questions and ultimately lead the design of their projects. This approach values lived experiences and local expertise, ensuring that the research addresses the communities' local needs, interests, and priorities.

The six groups and the researchers they will be working with are:

• Together as One, a youth-led charity in Slough, is investigating the potential positive effects of participating in urban beekeeping on young people’s mental wellbeing, working with University of Reading researchers Professor Ciara McCabe, from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences and Sena Demir Kassem (Postgraduate).
• Slough Anti-Litter Society is studying local attitudes towards littering and how to develop strategies to encourage sustainable behaviour and hold businesses to account. They are working with Professor Keiichi Nakata (Henley Business School) and Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer (Law, University of Reading). 
• Reading HongKongers CIC are investigating the impacts of community gardening on belonging, identity, cohesion and mental wellbeing, as well as exploring the possibility of cultivating native Hong Kong plants and crops in Reading, working with University of Reading researchers – crop scientist, Dr Deepti Angra, and soil scientist, Dr Sarah Duddigan.
• TRIYBE, an anti-racism group in Reading are looking at the chemicals in commonly-used black hair products and their impact on health and cultural identity, working with researchers Symiah Barnett from Loughborough University and Dr Tamanda Walker from the University of Leeds.
• The Engine Room Sound Laboratory in Reading is exploring the sound of emotions through concrete, the impact of colours on wellbeing and the effects of noise on concentration with the University of Reading’s Diversity & Inclusion adviser, Ceara Webster and architecture student, Annet Twinokwesiga.
• The Integrated Research and Development Centre aims to enhance gardening practices through Nepalese customs, composting management, and food waste recycling, working with University of Reading researchers, environmental scientist Professor Hong Yang and crop scientist, Dr Deepti Angra.

Claudette Maharaj, Director at TRIYBE, one of the six community projects to receive grant funding, says:

The more we engage directly with the community through TRIYBE’s Black Hair Research Project Natural, the greater the interest and confidence we see in the value of this scientific research. 

Having access to a pot of research funding to start is great, and with amazing support from the British Science Association, the University of Reading, and our black heritage researcher we are ready to make significant progress that will benefit the community.

The successful community groups, often representing traditionally underrepresented communities, are working with researchers to design and implement local research projects linked to science. The projects are focused on themes important to the community groups, such as mental health, environmental sustainability, cultural identity, and social inclusion.

Kate Orchard, Head of Community Engagement at the British Science Association, says: 

We are delighted with the diverse range of projects and ideas that have been suggested by the groups involved in this initiative. The Pilot is one example of how we can better balance out the power dynamics between communities and researchers. By using this model, we hope to see not only a significant impact on the community groups involved by offering them greater access to research in a way that is relevant to them, but also create meaningful change for the researchers and research institutions involved.

The Community Led Research Pilot has been designed to not only make research and science more accessible to community groups, but also to highlight the value that local communities can bring to research and innovation at institutions in their area.

Steve Scott, Public Engagement Lead at UKRI, says: 

We are excited that our work with the British Science Association and University of Reading has reached this crucial stage. We look forward to following the organisations involved as they work with their local communities to explore their research topic. The Community Led Research Pilot is one of several ways that UKRI is directly supporting community groups to lead their own research and be knowledge producers addressing issues that matter to them. Working together in this way can enable us to break down the barriers between research and innovation and society.

The University of Reading have worked closely with communities from Reading and Slough to shape their research projects and support their partnerships with researchers.

Professor Adrian Bell, Research Dean for Prosperity & Resilience at the University of Reading, says: 

We know from our work in Whitley and other areas of Reading how much communities have to contribute when their perspectives and knowledge are integrated into local research. We are excited and pleased to be working with these six community groups on research projects that will have lasting benefits in the local area.

You can find out more about the groups, the researchers and the projects they will be working on below.

Find out more about the Pilot

Meet the Community Led Research Pilot Grant Recipients

Together as One

Together as One, a youth-led charity in Slough, are working with Professor Ciara McCabe, a psychologist, and Sena Demir Kassem to explore how environmental social action can improve young people’s mental health. 

Through training, youth work, and creative projects, they are investigating the potential positive effects of participating in an urban beekeeping project on young people’s mental wellbeing.

Community Leader: Rob Deeks, CEO of Together As One

University of Reading researchers: Prof Ciara McCabe, Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sena Demir Kassem (Postgraduate)  

Lab: Neuroscience of Reward Group  @NRG_lab  https://www.nrg-lab.co.uk/ 

Slough Anti-Litter Society (SALS)

The Slough Anti-Litter Society promotes a cleaner and greener Slough, through community events like 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, they are studying local attitudes towards littering and developing strategies to encourage sustainable behaviour and hold businesses accountable.  

Community Leader: Tirza Meinema, SALS 

University of Reading researchers: Prof Keiichi Nakata (Informatics, Henley Business School), Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer (Law, University of Reading) 

Reading Hong Kongers

Reading HongKongers CIC, founded in 2022, supports Hongkongers settling in Berkshire via the British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa route and helps them integrate into the local community.

Collaborating with Dr. Deepti Angra and Dr. Sarah Duddigan, they are investigating the impacts of community gardening on belonging, identity, cohesion, biodiversity, and mental wellbeing as well as exploring the possibility of cultivating native Hong Kong plants and crops in Reading.

Community Leaders: Pandora Liu and Shan Wong – Reading Hongkongers C.I.C.

University of Reading researchers: Dr Deepti Angra - Crop scientist - School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Dr Sarah Duddigan (Environmental Science, GES)​ 

Co-facilitators: Beth Scott – Food4Families

TRIYBE

TRIYBE, a community group in Reading, is creating positive change by challenging oppression, racism, and inequality. Founder Claudette Maharaj, 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, the project investigates the chemicals in commonly used black hair products and their impact on health and cultural identity. The initiative aims to raise awareness and promote informed hair care choices while fostering cultural identity and well-being.

Community Leaders: Claudette Maharaj, Tyler Hinkson and Sharon Titus

Researchers: Symiah Barnett - PhD student in Chemistry. Loughborough University, Dr Tamanda Walker LAHRI Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leeds

The Engine Room Sound Laboratory (TERSL)

The Engine Room Sound Laboratory (TERSL) investigates how sound and acoustics influence the well-being of the Dee Park urban community. Led by Philip Newcombe and Lisa-Marie Gibbs, the project explores the sound of emotions through concrete, the impact of colours on well-being, and the effects of noise on concentration.

TERSL involves a diverse group, including the young, older adults, disabled, neurodivergent, and unemployed, to ensure inclusivity and foster trust. With over 30 years of experience, TERSL advocates for urban development practices that prioritise well-being.

Community leaders: Lisa-Marie Gibbs – The Engine Room and Philip Newcombe – The Engine Room 

Researchers: Ceara Webster (D&I 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 (IRDC)

The Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC) tackles health and environmental challenges in underrepresented communities, including Nepalese communities in Reading. Collaborating with Prof Hong Yang and Dr. Deepti Angra, the project enhances gardening practices using Nepalese customs, composting, and food waste recycling.

By cultivating seasonal vegetables and flowers, it educates on nutrition, promotes physical activity, recycles garden waste, and reduces social isolation targeting minority communities, low-income groups, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It aims to foster healthy living, environmental sustainability, mental well-being, and a sense of belonging.

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 scientist - School of Agriculture Policy and Development