Xiaohongshu
Join the Community Research Initiative (or CRIS to our friends) for our annual celebration of our students and communities who did something a little different and worked to co-create research for social impact.
This year, we’ll be highlighting our student leaders and community leaders who have bridged the university and community gap to address some of society's most pressing problems.
Expect engaging panels and posters showing how our CRIS leaders have tackled issues from supporting refugees to addressing the housing crisis. Grab a glass of bubbles and chat to students, UCL Staff, and community leaders from across the country while celebrating over 60 research and community projects that have made a difference this year.
All about the Community Research Initiative
The Community Research Initiative, based at the Students’ Union, is all about bringing people together across the student-community divide to co-design research and create real world impact. Now in its ninth year, CRIS supports students at every stage of their academic journey to become researchers, collaborators, and ultimately leaders within their communities. Our programme supports:
- Undergraduates to gain practical research experience by volunteering on 2–3 month projects with local charities and community organisations.
- Master’s students to conduct co-designed dissertation research in partnership with community organisations on issues that matter to them
- Doctoral students to apply their expertise through high-impact community research consultancy projects that deliver real-world impact
And we run a series of taster events, field trips, and workshops designed to introduce students to community engaged research for the first time! Oh my!
So what’s the CRIS showcase all about?
Whether you’re a CRIS student, a community organisation, UCL staff member, or simply curious about community-engaged research, this event is for you.
Celebrate Student Leadership: Hear from inspiring students who have built partnerships, co-created research projects, and worked alongside community leaders to create meaningful impact. Through their stories, you'll discover how students can become leaders in thought and social action through CRIS.
Explore Student x Community Research: Curious about what these projects actually look like in practice? Stroll through our project showcase with an interactive poster exhibition, ask curious questions and make connections with students and communities alike. Covering themes including housing, sustainability, health and wellbeing, education, migration, and youth engagement, the exhibition highlights the creativity, collaboration, and impact of student-community research partnerships.
Student and Community Leadership Panel: Join a panel of stellar CRIS students and community partners as they reflect on how their partnerships are addressing some of our most pressing issues in society. Moderated by our UCL student leaders, these panels are sure to leave you energised and inspired.
Connect with the CRIS Community: The day is all about celebrating those who have done something special for the wider community, so we'll close the afternoon with a bubbles and cake reception, giving you the chance to meet students, community partners, researchers, and staff. Exchange ideas, grow your own practice, spark new collaborations for the year ahead!
And don't just take our word for it...here's what people said about last year's showcase
- "I met some new people and had such a lovely connection with them and it really made me feel positive as it reminded me that it is always worth speaking to new people especially if you are both in an unfamiliar environment."
- "It was great to see what varied research people had done, hear people talk passionately and get inspired to pursue more opportunities that would normally feel "risky" for me."
- "Great to connect with other organisations and hear about their challenges and experiences - many of which are similar to ours."
- "I attended as a member of staff and thought the whole piece - the work itself, the relationships that were built, with fellow researchers, the community organisation and stakeholders, and the showcase event - was amazing. The content was excellent too - I wasn't expecting to discover insights, only to discover process, but in fact there was stuff to learn too."
Location information:
- Location: Marshgate Building, UCL East, Level 4 Project Space
- Accessibility: We want to make the day as comfortable as possible for you. You can find the accessibility guide for the Marshgate building here.
- Directions: You can find helpful directions, with photographs, on how to get from Stratford station to the Marshgate building here.
Schedule:
- 14.00: Arrival and student poster sessions
- 15.00: Community Impact Flash talks (line up to be announced)
- 16.00: Bubbles and CRIS community networking building
- If I’m UCL staff or external to UCL can I still book a ticket?
Yes! Just book your ticket using the link above. We can't wait to meet you
- Is this event open to people who have not yet engaged with the Community Research Initiative?
Yes! This event is as much about celebrating our past year of work as it is generating conversations, connections, and excitement about future work. Our previous showcases have led to lots of new connections between UCL students, academics, and our community partners who attend the event.
- What if I do not have anyone to attend the event with?
Our friendly team will be here to make sure that you feel welcome and comfortable at our event. We're biased but we also believe that the CRIS community is one of the most welcoming spaces at UCL. If you still have questions or worries about the event? Email our friendly team at and we can answer any questions you might have.