Students showcase their work in the community at our annual conference

The event showcases the research of final year Politics students at the university who have been collaborating with charitable organisations during the during academic year.

This year’s Conference took place on 8 May 2024 at Newcastle University and welcomed 120 delegates from a variety of third sector organisations across the North East.

Dr Judy Murray, Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology tells us about the highlights of this year’s event and why this work is so important for our students’ future careers:

We had another hugely successful event, rounding up a year’s hard work in Politics. Featured organisations included:

• Show Racism the Red Card
• The National Trust
• Newcastle Community Pantry
• Wearside Women in Need, and the Workers Educational Association (WEA)

The event also highlighted our new partnership with Newcastle Council and student public policy placements as well as our second-year work placement module. We were also very excited to welcome esteemed guest Richard Offiong, former Newcastle United footballer and Campaign Coordinator for Show Racism the Red Card.

Helping students get hands-on research experience

Community Based Research in Politics began in 2015 as an initiative to provide students with hands-on research experience focusing on important social issues at the local, national and an international level. This option is offered to students as an alternative to a traditional final year dissertation and provides a unique approach that enhances student employability by ensuring our students are ‘work ready’. Further, students become aware of policy processes, contribute to that process, and gain insight into the challenging environment in which the third sector operates.

Since it began, students in Community Based Research in Politics have conducted a wide range of research on diverse topics, such as; spatial justice, food poverty and generational divides. In these endeavours, the Politics Department has partnered with over 25 charitable organisations and forged strong bonds with the local community. We value our partner organisations and all that they do to help our students grow as individuals and develop the transferable skills necessary to succeed after they leave university.