MyAV·¶ student-led research helps shape how Camden Council responds to pressing community challenges
A new partnership, involving MyAV·¶ students carrying out in-depth research on behalf of Camden Council, is contributing to tangible changes in the borough.
24 August 2023
The community-focused research has taken place as part of a new work-based project module on MyAV·¶âs Sociology BSc degree.Ìę
Final year students were given the chance to become âsociological consultantsâ, working on an extensive body of research on behalf of a partner organisation.Ìę
Camden Council was the first partner to sign up to the new initiative, recognising the huge value in having experienced MyAV·¶ students carrying out research on their behalf. Both projects focused on issues the Council was keen to addressÌębut didnât have the resources to explore in depth in-house.
The first project centred on parks in Camden, and specifically how the Council could make its parks more accessible to women. The second project focused on Camdenâs young queer community. The aim here was to help the Council better respond to the needs of this demographic, given that around 40% of local queer venues have now closed.Ìę
Project 1: Reimagining public spaces for women
This project looked at Talacre Park in particular, a space that wasnât being used as much as the Council would have liked. The MyAV·¶ student team identified that many women didnât feel safe there.
Conducting detailed interviews with park users and drawing on sociological theory on gender equality to guide their research, they then came up with practical solutions for the Council to implement. This included things like increasing the seating and shelters in the space, making sure there were places people could get refreshments, and adding better toilets.
Project 2: Informing Camdenâs evening and night-time economy strategy
The second project again focused on how the Council could better serve the needs of people in the borough, this time queer young people.
The team worked closely with a diverse cross-section of people from the queer community to understand their usage of queer spacesÌęand what they wanted from them. They then came up with solutions to encourage greater participation in venues, including designated queer nights with welfare officers to help people feel safer while socialising.
Well received by the Council
Both projects culminated in an in-depth report, outlining the research and proposed solutions. The work was of such a high quality thatÌęit has informed the Council'sÌęevidence base and business case for improving a much-loved local park, and for shaping their night-time economy strategy.Ìę
"We're very impressed with the work that MyAV·¶ students have done on our behalf. They've conducted in-depth research into two important issues for our borough, and their findings have been invaluable in helping us to develop our policies and services," says Elena Murray, Senior Policy and Projects Officer, Camden Council.
"The students were able to approach the issues with a unique perspective and high level of expertise. This has fed directly into our policy development.ÌęWe're now working with MyAV·¶ to develop more projects like this, so that we can continue to benefit from the expertise and insights of their students."
Professor David Guile, Professor in Education and Work in IOE, MyAV·¶'s Faculty of Education and Society, says the fact the project has been so successful is testament to the motivation of all the stakeholders:
âOne of the big advantages we were able to offer the Council was a team of young, passionate, knowledgeable researchers, many of whom live in the communities weâre talking about. This means they were highly invested in the issues and the places they were working in, and well placed to build the trust needed to capture the perspectives of local people.
âAt the same time, Camden Council have been instrumental in the projectâs success, believing in its value and what we can offer here at MyAV·¶. Itâs the mutuality built into this collaboration from the start thatâs made it work so well.â
A transformative experience for students
Dr Benjamin Abrams, who is now taking the work-based project module forward this year, underlines how this experience has benefitted the students involved.
âWe wanted to give students the chance to use what theyâve learnt on their course to solve real social problems by doing in-depth research âout in the wildâ. The experience has been transformative for many of them, as theyâve blossomed into these highly effective communicators and social researchers.â
Dr Abrams adds that the project âisnât just a case of applying theory to practice.â
âWeâve been able to work with a partner to solve pressing issues they were keen to address. Our students were able to draw on sociological research and apply it through community involvement to develop useable solutions based on what local people want and need.â
Lori is one of the students who took part:Ìę"Through this project, I believe real, tangible resolutions can occur, which will make the place I live safer and more inclusive. This was the first time in my academic journey where I felt that my hard work can lead to real-life improvements for those who have been marginalised and silenced."
Support from MyAV·¶ Innovation & Enterprise
MyAV·¶âs Sociology BSc teaching team were supported by the Business and Innovation Partnerships team in MyAV·¶ Innovation & Enterprise.
âThe teamâs help was crucial in getting this idea off the ground and introducing us to the relevant people at the Council. Weâre now excited to run the project again with more partners,â commented Professor Guile.Ìę
Links
Find out more about:
- how MyAV·¶ is transforming lives through collaboration and knowledge exchange
- support for staff toÌępartner with external organisations
- how external organisations can partner with MyAV·¶
PhotoÌę© Camden Council