Isles of Scilly
Community Research Network
We are hiring a Network Lead. Find out more and apply here.
What is community research?
Traditional research has been led by academics and enabled by communities. A Community Research Network (or CRN) empowers local people to ask questions that matter to them and work with experts to find relevant answers.
Community research is place-based. The Isles of Scilly provide the perfect location to unlock the power of community research; not only are we geographically distinct, but our island life — from our environment to our economy — offers unique opportunities for researching relevant and useful questions, the answers to which can help our community to thrive.
Why is it important?
Local people have a unique and deep understanding of their community and its environment, but rarely have the chance to meaningfully set the research agenda in their area. Community Research Networks realise the potential for bridging the gap between the community and the academic world, enabling local people to achieve the research that matters in their community in a partnership of equals with academia.
We have worked to understand the appetite for community-led research on Scilly, to identify the barriers preventing this from taking place. We have been designing a Community Research Network that will overcome those barriers and enable research from within our community, whilst also establishing the network of partners and stakeholders to make all this possible. This process culminated in July 2024 with the submission of our bid for funding to UKRI's Community Research Networks program to deliver this vision on Scilly. We now eagerly await their decision, expected in late 2024.
What is happening now?
It has now been almost two years we started exploring the potential for community-led research on the Isles of Scilly. Input from many people and organisations have encouraged us to pitch for national funding to support this quest, to bring more opportunity to Scilly, especially for the young, and to try and contribute to a better future for the islands.
This process has received a great response locally and nationally. We’ve had ideas, feedback and support from many individuals throughout the community. The core partners of the Community Research Network are the Isles of Scilly Community Venture, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Five Islands Academy and the University of Exeter. Just as important is the backing we have from the Council, Duchy of Cornwall, Tresco Estate, Islands’ Partnership, Museum Association, and the Isles of Scilly National Landscape Partnership.
As a result of the progress we are making, we are now able to start recruiting for a full-time Network Lead for the Isles of Scilly Community Research Network. This role will be central to making the CRN come alive towards our goal of improving the sustainability of our islands.
The job description can be downloaded here. Applications can be made for this challenging role by application form which can be downloaded here, to be returned by 10am on Wednesday 4th December 2024. If you wish to discuss this role, please contact George Goldberg at the Isles of Scilly Community Venture on 01720 575301 or by email to george@ioscv.co.uk
We will also soon be recruiting for a part-time Communications Officer role to support the delivery of the CRN. Details for this role will be published in the coming weeks.
What will the CRN do?
The purpose of the Community Research Network is to break down the barriers preventing people from asking and exploring the research questions that matter to them. Some of the key things the CRN will provide are:
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Help with exploring ideas and identifying research questions.
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1-1 support from the Community Advocate team to navigate the entire research journey.
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Connection building with academia to build collaborations with experts.
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Securing access to tools, equipment and facilities.
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Help with communicating ideas, questions and results.
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Training and skills development.
As we continue to develop the CRN and support research projects, we will refine and adapt the support the CRN can offer to tackle the barriers we encounter to locally-led research.
Get involved
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Take a look at our research themes page, which highlights the issues and theories surrounding sustainability on Scilly and what may have the potential to become research topics in the future. Is there something you think is a good idea? Is there anything important that might be missing?
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Read about the research journey and the community advocates scheme to explore our thinking around how the Community Research Network will work. What do you think about the various stages of research? What would be the biggest barriers to taking part in a local research project for you?
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If you represent an organisation active on Scilly, consider becoming a Strategic Stakeholder to support the ongoing development of the CRN.
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If any of this sounds interesting you can become a member of the CRN to keep up to date with the project and its progress. Whether you want to get involved in the research yourself, have ideas, or simply want to be informed about what we’re doing, joining our mailing list is a great way to stay updated.
The Organisers
