Community Led Research Pilot

Meet the Community Led Research Pilot Grant Recipients 

Together as One  

Together as One, a youth-led charity in Slough, is working with Professor Ciara McCabe, a psychologist, to explore the link between engaging in environmental social action to improve young people’s mental health. Through training, youth work, and creative projects, they are working to investigate the potential positive effects of participating in an urban beekeeping project on the mental wellbeing of young people. 

Community Leader: Rob Deeks, CEO Together As One 

University of Reading researchers: Prof Ciara McCabe Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sena Demir Kassem (Postgraduate, University of Reading)  

Lab: Neuroscience of Reward Group @NRG_lab   https://www.nrg-lab.co.uk/ 

“The idea for this project came from the young people we work with. It was born from a real concern for the environment and wanting to connect more with the natural world. Success for us look like happy, confident young beekeepers making the wider community proud of their beekeeping. An evidence base to show that beekeeping is impactful on the young people……and lots of honey.” – Rob Deeks 

Slough Anti-Litter Society (SALS) 

The Slough Anti-Litter Society, founded on a vision for a cleaner and greener Slough, encourages residents to clean up, reduce waste, and embrace sustainable practices. Through community litter picks, upcycling fashion events, clothes swaps, and a repair café they are bringing the community together. Working with Professor Keiichi Nakata and Dr. Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer, a community of volunteers wants to find out about the community's attitude and behaviour toward littering, through community organising and digital technology. They are currently developing a framework intending to utilise research data to encourage behaviour change among locals and hold businesses accountable for their environmental impact. 

Community Leader: Tirza Meinema - SALS  

University of Reading researchers: Prof Keiichi Nakata (Informatics, Henley Business School), Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer (Law, University of Reading)  

“Our community-led research is unique because it puts the power of understanding and change directly in the hands of Slough residents. We gain invaluable insights into the specific reasons behind littering in our neighbourhoods, allowing us to develop targeted solutions that truly resonate within our community.” –Tirza Meinema 

Reading Hong Kongers 

Reading HongKongers CIC, founded in 2022, supports Hongkongers who have settled in the Berkshire area through the government scheme of British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa route and supports them to integrate into the local community. Working with Dr. Deepti Angra and Dr. Sarah Duddigan, they are supporting the Reading HongKongers to investigate the impacts of community gardening on belonging, identity, cohesion, biodiversity and mental wellbeing. Additionally, they aim to find out the possibility of cultivating native Hong Kong plants and crops in Reading. 

"We humbly learn from Nature, embrace changes, connect humans to humans, and build our multiple identities in the new land."  - Pandora Liu 

Community Leaders: Pandora Liu and Shan Wong – Reading Hongkongers C.I.C. 

University of Reading researchers: Dr Deepti Angra - Crop scientist - School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Dr Sarah Duddigan (Environmental Science, GES)​ 

Co-facilitators: Beth Scott – Food4Families 

“In my current role as a crop scientist, I am growing the oriental crops in Hong Kong simulated conditions in growth chambers. This will be followed by tests to compare their nutritional quality with those grown by communities in the UK weather conditions.” – Dr. Deepti Angra 

TRIYBE 

TRIYBE are a community group in Reading who “Support communities and individuals to create positive change by challenging systems of oppression, racism and inequality”. Through extensive community engagement Claudette Maharaj (founder and Director), Tyler Hinkson of CreativeGen and Sharon Titus from Black Treacle Talks have co-created Project Natura. Supported by researchers Symiah Barnett and Dr. Tamanda Walker, they are investigating the chemicals that go into commonly used black hair products and their impact on the health and cultural identity of the local community.  

This initiative aims to address concerns about the potential health effects of these products and explore natural alternatives that promote both physical well-being and cultural empowerment. Findings from the community highlight a need for increased awareness about product ingredients, as well as a recognition of the strong connection between hair care and cultural heritage. Through Project Natura, the goal is to empower individuals to make informed choices about their hair care practices while fostering a sense of cultural identity and well-being. 

Community Leaders: Claudette Maharaj, Tyler Hinkson and Sharon Titus 

Researchers: Symiah Barnett - PhD student in Chemistry, Loughborough University and Dr Tamanda Walker LAHRI Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leeds 

"Working alongside the team at TRIYBE, I'm leading on all aspects of qualitative research, bringing my understanding of critical race theory, decolonial theory and autoethnography into our work, and making sure lived experience is placed right at the heart of our work to understand how Black hair products influence our sense of community, identity and wellbeing." – Tamanda Walker  

"My role within the team is to facilitate experiments that encourage participants to explore Black hair products, empowering participants to lead investigations into their own hair and hair care." – Symiah Barnett  

The Engine Room 

The Engine Room Sound Laboratory (TERSL) investigates how sound and acoustics influence the well-being of the Dee Park urban community. Led by Philip Newcombe and Lisa-Marie Gibbs, the project explores the sound of emotions through concrete, the impact of colours on well-being, and noise effects on concentration. TERSL gets the local community involved to foster trust and empowerment, ensuring that their research is truly inclusive. They work with a very diverse group of people including the young, older, disabled, neurodivergent, unemployed to foster a truly inclusive community. With over 30 years of experience and collaboration with various community groups, TERSL advocates for urban development practices that prioritise well-being and inclusivity. The project is supported by Ceara Webster and Annet Twinokwesiga.  

Community Leaders: Lisa-Marie Gibbs – The Engine Room and Philip Newcombe – The Engine Room 

Researchers: Ceara Webster (D&I Advisor, University of Reading and PhD Candidate in Geography, University of Glasgow)​, Annet Twinokwesiga (Architect and MSc Spatial Planning and Development student, University of Reading) 

Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC) 

The Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC) addresses health and environmental challenges in underrepresented communities, including Nepalese communities, in Reading. They work with Prof Hong Yang and Dr. Deepti Angra and the project aims to improve gardening practices through Nepalese customs, composting management, and food waste recycling. By growing seasonal vegetables and flowers, the project seeks to educate communities about the importance of nutrition, promote physical exercise, recycle garden waste to improve the environment and people's health and reduce social isolation. The project aims to engage with minority communities, low income groups, senior citizens and those with disabilities by promoting healthy living, environmental sustainability, mental health and belonging through inclusive gardening. 

Community Leaders: Baburam Banstola – Integrated Research and Development Centre 

Community Researcher: Krishna Neupane  

University of Reading researchers: Prof Hong Yang (Geography and Environmental Science) and Dr Deepti Angra - Crop scientist- School of Agriculture Policy and Development 

“I will be working in the project with the community by doing field visits and advising them and when possible growing their choice of crops in controlled facilities during non UK non-growing season.” – Dr. Deepti Angra