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The research in this case study explored how media and cultural practices of communities are transforming in the digital age, and addressed the ways in which digital tools can enhance the lives of communities. There have been two main areas of impact: (1) contributing to the preservation, conservation and presentation of cultural heritage of communities; and (2) enhancing public and professional understanding of digital transformations in communities. The two main beneficiaries have been (i) local communities, and organisations working with and for communities in the South East of England, and (ii) professional communities of journalists and communicators in the UK and Germany.
Since the Bradford Riots in 2001, research at Bradford has helped to defuse underlying tensions between deprived, multiethnic communities and between them and the local state thus strengthening community resilience in the city. Building on global research, particularly in Latin America, we have introduced participatory and peace-building methodologies into the locality, but with implications beyond it. The Programme for a Peaceful City enhances our impact through academic-practitioner reflection spaces. Our research with rather than on communities fosters their voice in policy, contributing to a non-confrontational response to the EDL in 2010, 2012 and 2013 and bringing community activists from Bradford's diverse communities together to co-create the ESRC-funded Community University (Comm-Uni-ty) in May 2013.
Our research led to the creation of Football4Peace (F4P), which is a vehicle for conflict resolution and peace building in divided societies. By challenging cultural prejudice F4P has transformed passive citizens into active ambassadors for peace. More than 8,000 children, 595 coaches and many community leaders have participated in F4P projects during the census period, generating political discourse in the community and in governments up to ministerial level. Innovative community relations research in the context of Northern Ireland's peace process led to the development of the F4P initiative. Subsequently it changed the policies of sporting organisations in Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Ireland, South Africa and South Korea.
The social enterprise Mapping for Change (MfC) was established to make use of participatory mapping knowledge and software created through research at UCL. Since 2009, MfC has secured more than 20 contracts worth in excess of £435,000, and has delivered over 30 projects in many communities, directly engaging more than 5,000 people and reaching far more online and indirectly. Its projects have increased community engagement in the local environment, led to new environmental monitoring by local authorities and stimulated policy debate about noise and air pollution.
Since 2003, participatory action research in Brighton and Hove has identified the specific health and well-being needs of LGBT people in mental health, safety, housing, drugs and alcohol. The research changed local and national policy and reshaped services to reflect the diverse needs and experiences of LGBT communities. In the UK, the research influenced policy resulting in the first local LGBT housing strategy and the first suicide strategy in Brighton that centralises LGBT people. The research played a key role in ensuring the survival of the only LGBT mental health charity in the UK. Recommendations from the research have been adopted in the UK by the Department of Health, the UK Drug Policy Commission, the Cabinet Office and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. The research has influenced policy developments in Australia through the National LGBTI Health Alliance and has been incorporated into a guide to GLBTI inclusive practice for health and human services in the state of Victoria.
Using her self-transformation methodology [5], Dr Angela Espinosa worked with an Irish eco-community, which had previously tried to self-organise with little success, to help community members identify and develop new structures, systems and mechanisms that improved performance and contributed to dealing with key viability threats. They acquired skills in community self-transformation, allowing them to: a) improve the community organisation; b) enhance connectivity and communications; c) complete the expansion of the ecovillage, d) sell and build more eco-houses, overcoming financial threats; and e) design and develop several new green businesses.
This case study focuses on community cultures and social movement activism, offering an understanding of participatory arts organisation and practice, and the history of radicalisation for new generations of activists, demonstrating the following impact:
Limitations in public access to water environments for recreation are a longstanding source of stakeholder conflict in which previous policy initiatives have been ineffective. Our research has demonstrated how recreational access to inland waters can be increased through stakeholder capacity building and partnership working. In England and Wales the research led to changes in policy decisions for access to water, revised planning policy guidance, improved recreational access, the creation of 102 new jobs, and the modification of management practices by private and public bodies. In Europe the research has shaped new approaches for the management of small waterways in 11 countries.
The University of Brighton's sustained musculoskeletal research programme has, through the development of novel standardised data collection tools, improved data capture, communication, policy and business planning at local practitioner level and at organisational/regulatory body levels (e.g. Physio First, the private physiotherapy practitioner group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) UK and the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)). Secondly, research findings from a study exploring patients' expectations have significantly informed the recent revision of the GOsC's osteopathic practice standards and a new revalidation scheme for osteopaths. Thirdly, as a result of studies identifying research priorities for the physiotherapy profession, changes have occurred in the direction and focus of research funding applied by the CSP's charitable trust.
Collaborative research with practitioners, parents and young people has led to the development of Resilient Therapy (RT) a new approach to building resilience in disadvantaged families. The new RT model has been adopted as part of service provision by 10 local authorities in England, and by local and national charities including the mental health charity Mind in Wales. There is evidence that the model is changing high level national policy debate in the UK. The RT approach has had an international impact and has changed the design, delivery and evaluation of services for young people and families in Crete and Sweden. RT has been commended by the Chief Medical Officer (UK) for its contribution in supporting children. Over 120 community partners and service users were closely involved in the co-production of the research and for many of them this changed their roles in the community as they were central to the production and use of tailored training materials, self-help guides and courses.