Research in Action: Driving Social Justice Through Partnership
The power of collaborative research to drive social justice was the central theme on the 5th November, as we attended Community Research in Practice: Bridging Curious and Creative Communities at York St John University's Institute for Social Justice. This event gathered Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, academics and partners involved in the Communities Research Grant (CRG) scheme to explore how their joint work drives social justice.
It was great to be welcomed as part of the discussion, especially given our recent involvement in research with York St John University and NACE. The event created an open, honest space to reflect on what effective partnership looks like in practice and how community-based research can shape meaningful change.
Sharing insights from the CRG scheme
The morning included informal conversations with organisations such as Bolshee, Up for Yorkshire, Menfulness and True Cadence. Each shared different insights into their CRG-funded projects, including how collaboration had strengthened their work, the challenges they faced and the impact of bringing academic and community perspectives together. The CRG scheme has created a valuable platform for VCSE organisations and academics to learn from one another, and this event captured that spirit particularly well.
In the afternoon, Professor Matthew Reason led a session drawing together learning from across the CRG scheme. Matthew has been a key supporter in publishing and sharing the research we contributed to with York St John University and NACE. His reflections highlighted a principle that is central to our own programme: strong partnerships rely on clear communication, shared expectations and an understanding of each organisation’s context and capacity.
We also really valued hearing from Professor Tom Dobson as he shared reflections on the collaborative work with NACE. Tom and the NACE team have been our research partners this year, and his presentation summed up exactly why the partnership has worked so well. His clarity, direction and genuinely consultative approach have set the tone for what an effective research collaboration can look like, and it was inspiring to see this recognised within the wider CRG discussions.
Our latest collaborative outputs
This year we contributed to the NACE and York St John University research projects, focusing on youth participatory action research, student voice and how disadvantage shapes educational experiences. These collaborations produced several published outputs:
In Their Own Words: The Game of Education for ‘More Able’ Disadvantaged Students (July 2025)
Changemakers: A Guide for Empowering Students as Researchers (June 2025)
In Their Own Words: Removing Barriers for ‘More Able’ Disadvantaged Students (April 2025)
All reports from the CRG project are available on the York St John University Institute for Social Justice website under the Reports section.
Being part of this event was a valuable reminder of the importance of staying connected to the wider research community. It reinforced how collaborative learning can strengthen programmes like NextGenLeaders and help ensure that the work we deliver with young people remains grounded in evidence, equity and genuine partnership.
Research is a vital driver of how our schools programme evolves. It helps us refine our approach, understand the barriers young people face and develop more effective ways of enabling our Changemakers to tackle real challenges. By engaging with the latest thinking on education, social justice and youth participation, we can continue shaping responsible, confident young leaders who drive meaningful social change.
