London Met academic involved in collaborative project to help scale up successful leadership approaches
Date: 10 December 2024
London Metropolitan University is part of a project aimed at building stronger, more resilient communities across the UK. The Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness (C4), led by Sheffield Hallam University, will bring together partners from research, community, policy and civil society to develop and scale-up successful community leadership approaches.
Professor Louise Ryan, Senior Professor of Sociology and Director of the Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre at London Metropolitan University, will work with colleagues at Sheffield Hallam University to find and share the most effective community action strategies to help create equal opportunities wherever people live.
The project will examine the diverse landscape of community activities, analysing what works, and what doesn’t. The goal is to establish robust evidence and infrastructure, enabling successful approaches to be scaled up and replicated.
The Centre's research will focus on key areas including:
- Community: where people live and their connections with their neighbours
- Relationships: identifying which social interactions are most meaningful in tackling poverty, isolation and mental health
- Social Capital: looking at the benefits derived from networks and relationships
Professor Ryan said: “I am excited to be part of this immensely ambitious initiative. My research in London, over many decades, highlights the importance of social connections and relationality across diverse residents and neighbourhoods. Collaborating with colleagues across different geographical sites in the UK offers valuable opportunities for new insights to inform policies.”
Professor Sarah Pearson, Director of the Social and Economic Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "Connected communities are defined as those with high levels of social bonds and cohesion, where people have good relationships, a sense of pride and belonging, and the ability to cooperate within and between places to address challenges and seize opportunities.
“The Centre represents a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic research and community action. By working closely with communities and decision-makers, we aim to create a more connected and resilient society.”
The Centre is supported by the UKRI's investment in creating opportunities and improving outcomes, reflecting a shared commitment to enhance community connectedness and well-being. It is one of a number of new or existing centres sharing £56 million in UKRI funding.
As well as Sheffield Hallam University and London Metropolitan University, the project’s partners include Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface, Darnall Wellbeing, Local Trust, Queen’s University Belfast, The Brixton Project, University of Stirling and The Young Foundation.
Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre project focuses on community action strategies
