London Met's CARES brought together researchers working with partners including the Greater London Authority, for a session focused on community mapping and social change.
Date: 25 July 2024
On 27 March 2024, the Centre for Applied Research in Empowering Society (CARES) facilitated an enriching methodological dialogue session led by CARES co-director, Professor Diana Stirbu. The event featured Dr Beatrice De Carli, a renowned expert in urbanism and the former deputy director of London Met's Centre for Urban and Built Ecologies (CUBE).
Originally intended for CARES members of the Greater London Authority-commissioned Youth Social Action project and the National Youth Theatre and National Youth Art Wales collaborative project Assemble, the session was opened up to all CARES members due to its broad relevance and interest.
Focus on Community Mapping Methodologies
Beatrice De Carli led the discussion and provided a platform for exploring innovative approaches to community mapping, emphasising its significance in participatory research and urban studies. Her presentation covered various methodologies, tools, and case studies, illustrating how community mapping can drive social change and empower local communities.
The session encouraged an interactive dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions and share their own experiences. This exchange fostered a collaborative learning environment, enabling researchers to gain new perspectives and insights applicable to their own projects.
By including members from various CARES projects, the session underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants from different research backgrounds engaged in discussions about how community mapping techniques could be integrated into their work, promoting a comprehensive approach to research and community engagement.
Looking Forward
The methodological dialogue on community mapping marked a crucial step in CARES' ongoing efforts to support methodological innovation and collaborative research. It also builds on the centre’s effort to enhance its methodological expertise on systems mapping and on translating academic evidence into usable policy insights.
Professor Diana Stirbu highlighted the session's success: "Engaging with experts like Beatrice supports our members who are currently working on better understanding the ecosystems of decision making around particular challenges, such as the climate crisis, structural inequalities and under-representation. These sessions will provide us with the tools and perspectives necessary to advance our work in meaningful ways."
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Join the Next Dialogue
CARES is dedicated to continuing the Methodological Dialogues Series and encourages all members to participate in future sessions. For more information about upcoming events and how to get involved, please contact cares@londonmet.ac.uk.