Community Research in Action Field Trip: Museum of Homelessness

Discover how community-led research can reshape the stories we tell, the spaces we build, and the futures we imagine. Join us for an immersive visit to the Museum of Homelessness (MOH), the world’s first museum dedicated to homelessness, right here in North London. 

MOH is not a traditional museum. Founded and run by people with lived experience of homelessness, it’s a community-driven organisation that combines research, direct support, campaigning, and creative practice. 

MOH will upend everything you think you know about museums: what they collect, who they’re for, and how they hold memory. You’ll leave with a completely new sense of what community research can look like, and how community-led spaces can reshape the stories we tell and the futures we want. 

What to expect?

Dive into the museum's collections

After a special welcome from the museum team, we’ll dive straight into a collection curated by and for people with lived experience of homelessness — objects that carry stories, memories, and acts of resistance. We’ll explore the award-winning Criminal: An Untold History of Homelessness, Resistance and Survival taking us from the “Homelessness Big Bang” of the 1600s to the disinformation shaping public attitudes today. Experience an exhibition that's been designed by community researchers and be curious about the stories it shares.

Meet community storytellers

We’ll meet one of the museum’s community storytellers, who will bring the Museum’s collections alive, powerfully sharing what these objects mean and represent to them as people with lived experience of homelessness. Live storytelling is the beating heart of MOH; so experience what it’s like finding out about objects through live storytelling, rather than museum labels. Be curious about what co‑creation looks like when building a community museum from scratch.  

Ask questions!

You’ll have time to ask questions, wander through the museum’s other spaces, including the community garden and striking murals, and reflect together on what you’ve seen, felt, and learned.

Come away with your own Social Impact goodie bag

Just think of it as a little souvenir from your field trip.

And if you want to find out even more about what our field trips are like...

Then you can check out a blog written by a student who came along to our previous field trip! 

How will I benefit from this field trip?

Listen with empathy 

to understand different perspectives and learn how community research can centre lived experience.

Connect with, and learn from, lived experience partners and fellow students

 by adapting your language and thinking with, and for, different audiences and contexts

Grow your social impact mindset

by seeing first-hand how MOH combines research with practical action, campaigning, and education to drive social change. 

Get inspired to try out creative activist projects

and explore how art, storytelling, and community organising can spark conversations and empower new changemakers

I have some questions

What if I'm not a researcher, or I don't research this topic?

Don't worry, you don't need to be a researcher, or know anything about the topic, to be able join us. In fact, we run these field trips so they open, friendly, and accessible for everyone. Come along with curiosity, and we’ll guide you through the experience step by step. The MOH team and CRIS staff will be there to support you, spark conversations, and make sure you feel comfortable exploring, asking questions, and soaking up the stories. Everyone’s welcome, and every perspective is important!

Is this field trip open to people who haven't yet engaged with the Community Research Initiative? 

Yes! Whether it’s first time exploring what community research looks like, or using community methods in your research, this event is for you. Lots of students who came along to our previous field trip hadn’t been in touch with our team before, so we love seeing new faces, as well as familiar ones.

I’m interested in coming along, but don’t have anyone to attend with. Does that matter? 

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. 

I could visit the Museum of Homelessness at any time, so why would I join this field trip? 

• You’ll get the chance to meet other UCL students who are curious about community research. You can explore the museum together, make new connections, and spark conversations about community, research and more. Students who have come along to our previous field trip told us how they helped them feel part of a wider UCL community. 
• We’ll be there to offer you support and answer any questions. We appreciate that this museum, and some of the perspectives and stories shared, could be sensitive and challenging, especially you’re new to topics around homelessness. Our team will be on hand to offer support and answer any questions you might have. 
• And if the exhibition ignites a spark in you to carry out community-research, or try new methods, our friendly team can help you with exploring next steps. Our field trips are just one part of our community research programme, so we'd love to be able to the continue the conversation with you!

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.