Nottingham’s universities invite local residents with life and skills experiences to apply for community-focused research projects
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the University of Nottingham (UoN) are inviting people from the local community to apply for paid, full-time PhD, and part-time Placement research projects that aim to improve the lives of communities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
By Sarah McLeod | Published on 17 October 2025
Categories: Press office;
The Collaboratory Research Hub programme is an eight-year ambitious project that commenced in 2022, initially as part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement before bringing in the three Leicestershire universities – along with the Leicestershire Universities Partnership Civic Agreement into the fold from April this year.
The Programme aims to bring together academia and the community to support growth and development within communities, broaden prospects, drive change, and improve wellbeing.
The research projects have been created to solve real-life problems in the community, designed following input from researchers and those involved in local civic and community organisations.
Applications are open now, and the project team is looking for individuals, particularly those with a professional or community-centred background; those with experience and passion for creating positive change in the community are invited to apply, even if they don’t hold typical university qualifications. Successful PhD applicants will undertake a paid, three-year period of research on Collaboratory’s fully funded Doctoral Training Programme, resulting in a PhD qualification. Successful Research Placement applicants will undertake a paid, part-time period of research, over 12 weeks, resulting a formal Certificate of Recognition.
Rebekah Smith McGloin, Director of Research Culture and Environment at Nottingham Trent University said: “This is an opportunity for the community to get involved with research that makes a real difference to the lives and livelihoods of people in Nottingham. We’re inviting individuals with lived experience, passion and insight to help shape and deliver research that responds directly to local challenges. Collaboratory is about breaking down barriers to research and creating a space where community knowledge is valued just as highly as academic expertise.”
Dr Shaun French, Collaboratory Lead for the University of Nottingham, said: “Collaboratory isn’t just about excellent research opportunities, it’s about joining a community of people who are passionate about making a difference locally. Researchers and community members come together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and co-create solutions to the challenges that matter most to Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which helps to positively shape our region. It’s an inclusive space where everyone’s experience and insight are valued.”
The PhD projects that are available explore challenges such as:
- Reviving the past to inform the future: enhancing young people’s political literacy in Nottingham and region through history and performance
- Exploring the Health and Social Impacts of Community-Based Walking Football
- Beyond Green: Community Participation towards Resilient Urban Nature
- Empowering regions for better homes? Devolved governance for warm, healthy and energy-efficient housing.
The research placements that are open for applications include:
- Teaching Religion in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: Culturally-Sensitive Resources for Inclusive Classrooms
- Exploring Barriers to Awareness and Access for Black and Minority Females from Deprived Areas in Nottinghamshire into STEM Apprenticeships
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30th November.
Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to attend an information webinar, drop-in day, or application workshop to learn more about the Collaboratory programme, the research projects, how to apply and what the expectations are. Full details can be found on the Collaboratory website.
More information about the Collaboratory Programme.
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Sarah McLeod, Corporate Communications Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8735, or via email.
About Universities for Nottingham
The Universities for Nottingham initiative is a pioneering collaboration which brings together the combined strength and civic missions of 11 anchor institutions from across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Working with local communities and partners we aim to improve levels of economic prosperity, educational opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellbeing for the benefit of our people and place.
As part of the response to the challenges we collectively face, the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement sets out our joint plans for the future working as a partnership.
Find out more at www.universitiesfornottingham.ac.uk #UnisForNottingham
Universities Partnership
This Civic Agreement is a commitment between De Montfort University, Loughborough University, University of Leicester, and the city and counties of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to work together for the benefit of local people and the prosperity of our places. ‘Universities Partnership’ combines the collective strengths of our universities and civic institutions to make a greater impact through collaboration for, with and among our communities. This Civic Agreement marks the beginning of a journey, signalling a commitment by the partners to bring together our collective skills, expertise and social capital and collaborate in the long-term interests of our communities.