Community Research Initiative

Welcome to the Community Research Initiative

Also known as "CRIS" to our friends

We bring people together across the student-community divide to explore the possibility of co-designing research to create a positive social impact. Whether its through your course or as a volunteer, our programme is here to take your research skills from classroom to community.

Explore our offers

Masters programmes

PhD programmes

Undergraduate programmes

Curious about how your research could make a difference?

Working with a UCL student has made a massive impact on our organisation, particularly because we are so grassroots and wouldn't have been able to do this research on our own.
-South Asian Health Action

Check out our full impact gallery

Join us at an upcoming Community Research Initiative event

Events & Activities

Community Research Initiative Showcase 2026

09/09/2026 | 14:00 - 16:00

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 uni

Give it a Go

Community Research In Action Field Trip

29/09/2026 | 14:00 - 17:00

Want to see community research in action? Join us on our immersive field trip with the Young V&A’s Designer in the Shed, Christie Swallow, for a community-centred exploration of how we can build stronger relationships with the human and non-human neighbours who share our city.

Give it a Go

Skills for Community Engaged Research Taster

14/10/2026 | 17:00 - 19:00

Ever wondered how to make a genuine impact with your research? Or share benefits with participants?Come along to this free skills session hosted by UCL's Community Research Initiative, where you’ll learn about researching with and for community.