Reports and research

The Power of Participation: our vision 2024-28

30 November 2023 | Authors: Helen Goulden OBE,

Embracing the spirit of our founder, Michael Young, our five-year strategy, The Power of Participation, shares our vision to redesign the social contract between people, communities, state and business and shape a fairer, greener future.

A historical perspective: Michael Young’s legacy and the history of the Institute for Community Studies

29 November 2023 | Authors: Holly Smith,

Marking 70 years since the Institute for Community Studies’ inception, Holly Smith outlines it’s profound impact on the welfare state and political thinking.

Our food system: community research exploring access to healthy food in East Birmingham

8 November 2023 | Authors: Amelia Clayton, Jenny Barke,

Drawing on East Birmingham residents’ lived experiences, this report offers policy recommendations for healthy food systems.

Our journey to net zero

12 October 2023 | Authors: Samanthi Theminimulle, Tania Carregha, Emily Morrison,

This policy brief presents research findings and recommendations for how to ensure the UK’s transition to net zero leaves no one behind. It shares insights from a two-year programme of work, funded by the Nuffield Foundation..

Experiences of ‘citizen science’

9 October 2023 | Authors: Alice Bell, Siân Whyte, Marion Oveson, Amelia Clayton,

This is the first in a series of short discussion papers produced by the Institute for Community Studies to share learnings and reflections from the UKRI-funded Citizen Science Collaboration Grants.

Youth leadership for urban wellbeing

3 August 2023 | Authors: Victoria Boelman,

This research report was developed by The Centre for Urban Wellbeing at The University of Birmingham, in collaboration with The Young Foundation, and the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Mental Health Youth participation leads and Youth Advisory Group.

No Wrong Door: How an integrated employment and skills system can support Londoners

5 July 2023 | Authors: Zoe Dibb, Chelsea McDonagh, Daniel Farag, Franca Roeschert, Amelia Clayton, Alice Bell,

Commissioned by the Mayor of London, this report explores the needs of people accessing skills and employment services.

Rights and risks: Migrant labour exploitation in London

6 June 2023 | Authors: Victoria Boelman, Amelia Clayton,

Commissioned by the Mayor of London and supported by FLEX, this report hears from London’s migrant workers, gaining a deeper understanding of their working conditions and the struggles they face through peer-led research.

Immigration Kickstart report

13 April 2023 | Authors:

This report explores the experiences of first and second generation immigrant British populations, and has been developed and devised by a group of young Kickstart peer research recruits.

Five ways a community-centred policy agenda could take us to a fairer future

31 March 2023 | Authors: Helen Goulden OBE,

This paper was submitted to the Labour Party’s National Policy Forum (NPF) Consultation in March 2023 on the topic of empowered communities.

Leading research, driving change

22 March 2023 | Authors: Victoria Boelman, Jenny Barke, Annais Naylor Guerrero,

Sharing insights into youth experiences of violence, and young people’s solutions to drive safer, fairer futures in England and Wales.

Research and engagement to develop ’15-Minute Neighbourhoods’ in Waltham Forest

22 March 2023 | Authors: Samanthi Theminimulle, Siân Whyte, Alice Bell,

This report shares insights from the Waltham Forest ’15-Minute Neighbourhood’ project, pinpointing what residents think is important for their neighbourhoods to have and provide within easy reach.