The “Working with Citizens UK to Develop Impactful Research and Knowledge Exchange” event held on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023, was a resounding success, with a packed room of enthusiastic attendees. Led by Daniel Mackintosh and Lucy Gardner, Community Organisers, and Tim Hall, Academic in Residence from Citizens UK, the workshop aimed to enlighten UoW researchers on the potential of collaboration with Citizens UK to enhance their research and knowledge exchange endeavours.
The event commenced with a warm welcome and introductions, setting the stage for an engaging and insightful session. Participants were introduced to Citizens UK and its achievements, gaining valuable insights into the organization’s purpose and impact. The concept of community organizing was explored, highlighting its distinctive characteristics and how it differs from charity, advocacy, and mobilizing efforts. The audience delved into the five steps to social change, emphasizing the importance of inclusive listening, the iron rule, prioritizing people over programs, and the collective building of power.
A series of captivating local stories from West London Citizens showcased the organization’s practical impact on various levels. Examples included community initiatives such as Scrubs and Hostels at the local level, the Youth Zone at the borough level, and the Integrated Care System Living Wage Campaign on a wider West London scale. These narratives vividly illustrated the power of community organizing and served as inspiration for participants to reflect on how such activities could be integrated into their own teaching, research, and knowledge exchange efforts.