Discover our practice engagements in the UK from 2012 to 2018.
'Social Development in Practice' is a practice-based module at the heart of theÌýSocial Development Practice MSc. In this module, our students explore,Ìýthrough practice, the ways in which a socially sensitive approach can be integrated into development interventions in both Global South and Global North countries.
It is important to us on the Social Development Practice MSc that we recogniseÌýdiversity and individuals'Ìýrights and freedoms, while also buildingÌýpeople’s capacitiesÌýto engage inÌýprocesses of meaningful change alongside other societal actors. Therefore, from 2012 to 2018, we engaged our Social Development Practice MSc students with local communities in the UK and explored policy and planning processes to ensure moreÌýequitable and transformative development outcomes.
The focus of our UK practice engagements has been on centring an 'action-learning' approach whereby our students engaged with real London-based communities to understand their real challenges, where theyÌýexaminedÌýthe organisational and institutional processes which act as opportunities for achieving socially just development. In collaborative dialogue with communities, our students consolidated the theoretical concepts they learnt through their core and optional modules on the Social Development Practice MSc, and responded to the needs, interests and apsirations of diverse and marginalised social groups.
2019 - University-led community partnerships and social justice: Exploring potentials in °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Bloomsbury and Stratford
Situated within the university in which we work (°×С½ãÂÛ̳), this report aims to contribute to the discussion on the role of universities in partnering with community organisations in the advancement towards socially just cities. In partnership with °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Engagement,Ìýthe public engagement unit of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Culture, ourÌýresearch exploredÌýfour different ‘practices’ of university-community partnerships which are evidenced within °×С½ãÂÛ̳. These included:
- Skills sharing and co-production
- Engaged teaching and scholarship
- Volunteering, and
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ EAST Neighbourhood Engagement.
Rather than telling one consolidated story, we presented four chapters within our report, with each offering different reflections on the nature of community-university partnerships to reveal critical lessons, and offering clear guidance on how the barriers and opportunities for the different partnerships work towards supporting socially just ambitions.
2018 -ÌýOur homes, our schools: How housing affects young people's learning capabilities
Building on action-research in 2017, this project emergedÌýfrom the partnership with Citizens UK and our collaboration with three London schools (the Willow Primary, St. Ignatius Primary and City and Islington College) and focused onÌýdeepening young people's reflectionsÌýaround housing and education.
Our resulting report unfolded an analysis of how London's worsening housing crisis is shaping the educational capabilities and aspirations of young pupils, but also how in turn they are tacking action to own their stories and call for reform.
- Discover the outputs of our 2018Ìýproject
Our Homes, Our Schools: How Housing Affects Young People's Learning Capabilities (PDF)
2017 - Housing and Learning: Views from young Citizens in London, UKÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Based on the joint partnership between our staff and students of the Social Development Practice MSc with Citizens UK, students from Middlesex University, and teachers and students from 10 London Schools, this action-learning project investigatedÌýthe impacts of London’s housing crisis on educational learning of pupils. Together, we drew lessons for all stakeholders involved and summarised this within our report.
- Discover the outputs of our 2017Ìýproject
Housing and Learning: Views from young Citizens in London, UK (PDF)
2016 - Campaigning through Images: Exploring housing rights in north London
As part of ourÌýongoing collaboration with Citizens UK, in our 2015-16 Social Development Practice MSc students and staff partnered with , a non-profit organisation which promotes the ethical use of photography for positive social change. Together, weÌýutilised participatory photography as a complementary means for understanding the housing experiences of distinct groups of residents in north London. With a view to appreciating the power relations at play that determine unaffordability and insecurity of housing and therefore inhibited ability to access full citizenship rights, we produced a report that was suited within in the context of Citizens UK’s housing campaign targeting the 2016 mayoral election.
- Discover the outputs of our 2016Ìýproject
Campaigning through Images: Exploring Housing Rights in North London (PDF)
2015 - Reclaiming regeneration: Negotiating a Citizens Charter for Euston area
The Euston area of London is centrally located and increasingly attractive for redevelopment purposes. In response,Ìýour Social Development Practice MSc students and staff collaboratedÌýwithÌýCamden Citizens and with residents of the Euston area to create a space for participatory development - where residents could redefine what regeneration meantÌýto and for them.
- Discover the outputs of our 2015Ìýproject
Reclaiming regeneration: Negotiating a Citizens Charter for Euston area (PDF)
2014 - Regeneration aspirations for Euston: Local perspectives on the High Speed Two rail link
Following a three-month research project, our Social Development Practice MSc students produced a report focused on the regeneration aspirations of localÌýresidents, workers and business owners in the Somers Town and Regents Park wards of Camden. The resulting report is setÌýagainst the backdrop of the proposed construction of the £50 billion high-speed two (HS2) rail link.
- Discover the outputs of our 2014Ìýproject
Regeneration aspirations for Euston: Local perspectives on the High Speed Two rail link (PDF)
2013 - Regeneration and wellbeing in east London: Stories from Carpenters Estate
2012 - The Newham experience
As part of the research study commissioned by the ,Ìýour Social Development PracticeÌýMSc students explored the hurdles and constraints faced by high school pupils in getting toÌýand from school when using the local bus network. Through qualitative analysis, our study aimed to explore those social aspects of mobility that are often overlooked but may nevertheless lead to impaired access to educational opportunities.