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Place-based Research Projects

A school place-based research performance

Coventry City of Culture 2021 provided an unrivalled opportunity to strengthen and grow our place-based research. Being a principal partner of City of Culture 2021 has helped catalyse new and exciting research projects, and we’re continuing to develop new place-based research and impact with local collaborators across a broad range of topics. Our teams of researchers are building connections in the region and further afield, with projects which look to address key challenges, often through innovative collaborations with artists and creatives, to change lives for the better.

Acting on Climate

Dr Rachel Turner-King and Dr Bobby Smith explore the climate crisis with young people across the UK and beyond through creative approaches including performance, film and visual arts.

Arts and homelessness - what does Home mean to you?

Arts & Homelessness

In a body of place-based research spanning over four years, Professor Nadine Holdsworth (Theatre and Performance Studies) explores how arts and creativity can contribute to health and wellbeing, equality and social justice.

Policing, Culture and Community report cover

Policing, Culture & Community

With public trust in policing extremely low, this body of work from Professor Jacqueline Hodgson and Dr Rachel Lewis explores the potential for arts and culture to help build trust and confidence in policing.

Allesley park in Coventry

eDNA

In partnership with Coventry City Council Biodiversity Team, this project aims to help develop an alternative to traditional biodiversity surveys.

An artistic self portrait by creative freelancer Corrine

What do you do all day?

This project looks at how creative freelancers manage their time and to reflect the everyday experience of working as a creative freelancer in the West Midlands.
Grapevine community team litter pick

Grapevine & University of Warwick

Community organisation Grapevine and the University of Warwick have teamed up to enable Ball Hill residents in Coventry to investigate issues around local air pollution.

Coventry UK City of Culture Projects

From exploring the impacts of lockdown on the city and reinvigorating green spaces, through to dazzling live performances and international collaborations, we were involved with and supported over 100 projects for UK City of Culture. Spanning a four-year programme, our researchers worked with over 60 artists, 25 micro/SMEs and more than 50 public and third sector organisations, building lasting relationships to help shape culture across the region. Take a look at the City of Culture 2021 Projects brochure to discover more about this unique body of work.

Place-Based Research and Culture Programme

Launched in August 2023, the place-based research funding call aimed to support Warwick researchers to work with cultural organisations, creatives, public and third sector organisations to co-create and deliver research and impact projects that address regional, local and community challenges.

Five exciting and innovative projects, working with over 25 local artists, creative organisations, community groups, schools, public sector organisations and charities, have been awarded a combined total of over £110,000.

All 5 funded projects will contribute to Warwick’s new cultural strategy which aims to 'inspire', 'connect' and 'enable'.