Xiaohongshu
MA student Danya Gunasekaran writes about the first field trip hosted by the Community Research Initiative - and how this Students' Union event transformed what 'research' meant to her. Intrigued? Then read on...
When I moved from India to the UK to pursue my MA in Education, I expected to learn a lot from lectures and readings, and I did. But what really cemented my decision to move thousands of miles was everything else that UCL offers beyond the classroom.
I read the UCL newsletters religiously and actively seek opportunities I’ve never tried before. The UCL Community Research Initiative was one such discovery. Working with them on my dissertation which focuses on enhancing play in space‑constrained early‑years settings in India has reshaped how I see what research can be. Conversations with Molly, the workshops, and the way CRIS invites students to co‑design projects made me curious about what happens when research is truly with communities.
Students looking at the 'Activist Voices and Creative Voices' exhibition hosted at the inspiring Arbeit Studios at Trowbridge Gardens.
Recently, I joined CRIS’s first field trip to the Creative Voices, Activist Voices exhibition by Fun Palaces at the fantastic Arbeit Studios. We spent an inspiring afternoon with Katy Pilcher from Aston University and Rachel Attfield from Fun Palaces, exploring how art, storytelling, and community activism come together in a powerful exhibition that’s travelled across the UK. Being in that space challenged every assumption I had about what “research” looks and feels like.
Inspired by the methods behind the exhibition, every student described their own everyday objects, turning these simple items into meaningful mini biographies.
For me, “research” had slowly become associated with journal articles and formal language. This experience disrupted that image completely. I saw how creative, participatory methods can be collaborative, expressive, and deeply rooted in lived experiences. There were installations, artworks, and interactive activities that invited visitors to add their own thoughts, stories, and questions.
What stayed with me most was the inclusivity of the space. There was an openness that made it easier to participate and feel like your voice mattered. As someone new to participatory research and co‑creation, it was a powerful reminder that research can (and should) make space for curiosity, creativity, and community.
Grateful to the UCL Community Research Initiative for creating opportunities like this. I’m still thinking about it weeks later.✨
Keen to immerse yourself even more in our field trip? Then watch a highlights video over on the Community Research Initiative LinkedIn page.
About the Community Research Initiative
We are a part of the Students' Union Social Impact Team. We bring people together across the student-community divide to explore the possibility of creating socially impactful research with and for the community. From discovering new ways of working to co-creating research with local communities, we are here to walk with students through their community research journey.
Keen to stay up to date with our latest events, opportunities and training? Just sign up to our mailing list and we'll send you all you need to know, direct to your inbox.