Dr Al Mathers says a university’s role is not just delivering academic experiences, but also building connections, friendships and partnerships in their place.
Universities have incredible potential to be catalysts for positive change in their location – but sometimes, communities can feel disconnected to them.
Of course, we rightfully celebrate positive impacts where we see them – such as Goldsmiths University partnering with the London Borough of Lewisham to deliver a community-led programme for the Borough of Culture; Lancaster University running a Climate Assembly to inform local climate policy; Newcastle University and Northumbria University establishing Collaborative Newcastle, a collaboration with local NHS bodies to tackle health inequalities in the region; and other great examples around the country.
But if we flip the script, a question emerges about ‘civic-washing’ – and how to avoid it. This refers to organisations or institutions who promote themselves as being socially responsible and community orientated, through often high-profile civic projects, while their practices may not be so aligned to these more publicised efforts.
The Young Foundation’s research into the Quest for the ‘S’ in ESG identifies an ongoing gap in generating social outcomes across and by companies. Aligned with this is the huge opportunity for universities to make a measurable contribution to creating broader societal value – directly on their doorstep – in their places, towns and cities.
However, realising this requires strategic backing, supporting a sustained commitment to ongoing collaborative action in place. This is not about funding short-term projects, which can weigh heavily on the limited time and resources communities and community partners have, but nurturing cross-sector, long-term partnerships, which can be truly generative and potentially even regenerative.
So, what more could higher education institutions do to be better partners, neighbours, and citizens in their communities? And, if successful civic strategies must be based on equitable partnerships between universities, local leaders, and (crucially) communities – how can that happen with groups locally?
Place-based relationships
I believe that true and deep engagement with underrepresented communities requires a systemic commitment by universities to rethinking their structural processes, teaching practices and funding priorities, to focus on the importance of developing place-based relationships and understanding across the staff and student body.
In practical terms, this means evolving and embedding more reciprocal ways of working that recognise differing starting points; alternative drivers for engagement, other needs and resources; and varying experiences across communities, across the student body, and through academia. It’s about committing to greater transparency and long-term partnerships, building shared purpose and ownership to realise collective, cross-sector aims, outcomes and agendas.
‘The city that changed me’
From a personal perspective, I came to Sheffield in 1998 to study landscape architecture at the University of Sheffield. Like many students, I fell deeply in love with my university city and never left. But it wasn’t just my academic experiences that made this place my home – it was the connections, friendships and partnerships I built with communities that changed me. This included working with local learning disability groups, such as Sheffield Mencap and Work Ltd; social housing providers, such as South Yorkshire Housing Association; and innovative CICs and local charities, such as the Green Estate and Under the Stars; and, lately, working for a Sheffield-based but national charity, Good Things Foundation.
What I learnt from all these organisations was the value of being physically connected through place. Universities are ideally situated to work in partnership with their local communities and organisations if they see themselves as facilitators of the wider interconnected social, environmental and economic health of place-based systems. They can help make visible the change that’s needed, and together develop a credible evidence base for influence. Furthermore, universities can platform community-led insights and experiences to ensure cut-through with wider audiences and policymakers – from anchor institutions to national government.
Communities as equal partners
Our work at The Young Foundation is all about connections, recognising that it takes a cross-sector, ecosystem approach to create lasting change. Local people know their neighbourhoods better than anyone, including those that stand to win, lose, or have their life changed by policy shifts and local developments. In a world that is becoming ever more complex and fast-paced, let’s invest in listening and learning together.
Ensuring communities are an equal partner in research and beyond is critical for developing future policy and provision that values local perspectives. For ensuring our neighbourhoods are safe and inclusive. And for ensuring that learning and employment opportunities are equitable. In this way, universities, businesses and local communities can work together towards a fairer and greener future.
This article was developed from Al Mathers’ contribution to the CiviCon24 Conference Dinner panel discussion on 18 June 2024.
Dr Al Mathers says a university’s role is not just delivering academic experiences, but also building connections, friendships and partnerships in their place.
Universities have incredible potential to be catalysts for positive change in their location – but sometimes, communities can feel disconnected to them.
Of course, we rightfully celebrate positive impacts where we see them – such as Goldsmiths University partnering with the London Borough of Lewisham to deliver a community-led programme for the Borough of Culture; Lancaster University running a Climate Assembly to inform local climate policy; Newcastle University and Northumbria University establishing Collaborative Newcastle, a collaboration with local NHS bodies to tackle health inequalities in the region; and other great examples around the country.
But if we flip the script, a question emerges about ‘civic-washing’ – and how to avoid it. This refers to organisations or institutions who promote themselves as being socially responsible and community orientated, through often high-profile civic projects, while their practices may not be so aligned to these more publicised efforts.
The Young Foundation’s research into the Quest for the ‘S’ in ESG identifies an ongoing gap in generating social outcomes across and by companies. Aligned with this is the huge opportunity for universities to make a measurable contribution to creating broader societal value – directly on their doorstep – in their places, towns and cities.
However, realising this requires strategic backing, supporting a sustained commitment to ongoing collaborative action in place. This is not about funding short-term projects, which can weigh heavily on the limited time and resources communities and community partners have, but nurturing cross-sector, long-term partnerships, which can be truly generative and potentially even regenerative.
So, what more could higher education institutions do to be better partners, neighbours, and citizens in their communities? And, if successful civic strategies must be based on equitable partnerships between universities, local leaders, and (crucially) communities – how can that happen with groups locally?
Place-based relationships
I believe that true and deep engagement with underrepresented communities requires a systemic commitment by universities to rethinking their structural processes, teaching practices and funding priorities, to focus on the importance of developing place-based relationships and understanding across the staff and student body.
In practical terms, this means evolving and embedding more reciprocal ways of working that recognise differing starting points; alternative drivers for engagement, other needs and resources; and varying experiences across communities, across the student body, and through academia. It’s about committing to greater transparency and long-term partnerships, building shared purpose and ownership to realise collective, cross-sector aims, outcomes and agendas.
‘The city that changed me’
From a personal perspective, I came to Sheffield in 1998 to study landscape architecture at the University of Sheffield. Like many students, I fell deeply in love with my university city and never left. But it wasn’t just my academic experiences that made this place my home – it was the connections, friendships and partnerships I built with communities that changed me. This included working with local learning disability groups, such as Sheffield Mencap and Work Ltd; social housing providers, such as South Yorkshire Housing Association; and innovative CICs and local charities, such as the Green Estate and Under the Stars; and, lately, working for a Sheffield-based but national charity, Good Things Foundation.
What I learnt from all these organisations was the value of being physically connected through place. Universities are ideally situated to work in partnership with their local communities and organisations if they see themselves as facilitators of the wider interconnected social, environmental and economic health of place-based systems. They can help make visible the change that’s needed, and together develop a credible evidence base for influence. Furthermore, universities can platform community-led insights and experiences to ensure cut-through with wider audiences and policymakers – from anchor institutions to national government.
Communities as equal partners
Our work at The Young Foundation is all about connections, recognising that it takes a cross-sector, ecosystem approach to create lasting change. Local people know their neighbourhoods better than anyone, including those that stand to win, lose, or have their life changed by policy shifts and local developments. In a world that is becoming ever more complex and fast-paced, let’s invest in listening and learning together.
Ensuring communities are an equal partner in research and beyond is critical for developing future policy and provision that values local perspectives. For ensuring our neighbourhoods are safe and inclusive. And for ensuring that learning and employment opportunities are equitable. In this way, universities, businesses and local communities can work together towards a fairer and greener future.
This article was developed from Al Mathers’ contribution to the CiviCon24 Conference Dinner panel discussion on 18 June 2024.
