What’s it all about? The Barking and Dagenham Community Research Network
The Open University and Thames Life Community Development Trust are excited to announce the launch of a new Community Research Network for Barking and Dagenham. This innovative, year-long project aims to empower local residents to drive impactful research on the right to community infrastructure.
Why community infrastructure?
There are some things all communities need for everyday life – physical facilities, services and amenities that we use every day. Community infrastructure is vital for the well-being and resilience of any community. Yet across the UK, and particularly in areas of high deprivation like Barking and Dagenham, this infrastructure has been deteriorating due to years of underinvestment and government cuts. At the same time, since 2011 the population of the borough has increased by 17% to 219k people. With the borough committed to building 50,000 new homes by 2037, this population increase is putting immense pressure on existing services.
Despite plans for significant growth and development in the borough, there is currently no adequate way to assess the real social and economic impacts of community infrastructure, and ensure it meets the needs of residents. That’s where the Community Research Network comes in.
What will the Community Research Network do?
Over one year (October 2025 – September 2026), a range of 15 Barking and Dagenham residents will be recruited and trained as community researchers. They will work closely with academics from the Open University and Thames Life to design and conduct research on the right to community infrastructure in the borough. This will include:
- Interviews and focus groups with local stakeholders to understand experiences, needs and aspirations related to community infrastructure
- Surveys of residents and businesses on usage, satisfaction and priorities
- Mapping of existing community assets and gaps
Using the data gathered, the network will develop and test a robust framework for assessing the impact of community infrastructure and advocating for residents’ infrastructural rights. Findings will be shared through a major report, policy briefings, academic papers, a short film and a community celebration event.
Why a participatory approach?
We believe that those most impacted by an issue are best placed to research and address it. The Community Research Network puts residents at the heart of the research process – not as a passive group of people being “researched at”, but in the driving seat of producing knowledge together.
All community researchers will receive training and support to develop research skills and confidence. They will have the opportunity to shape every stage of the project, from setting research questions to interpreting findings to disseminating outputs. Bringing the community into the work, and making it the community’s work – and paying the community accordingly – all ensures that the research serves the public.
What’s the bigger picture?
The Community Research Network has the potential to drive real, lasting change at multiple levels:
- For participants – gaining valuable skills, experience, connections and agency to make a difference in their community
- For the borough – generating robust evidence to inform local decision-making and investment in community infrastructure
- For wider society – pioneering an innovative, participatory approach to community-led research and development that can be replicated elsewhere
Crucially, the network aims to challenge extractive ‘research on communities’ in favour of collaborative ‘research with communities’. It’s about shifting power to residents, valuing diverse forms of knowledge, and using research as a tool for positive social change.
What are the practicalities?
- The time commitment for community researchers is around 60 hours over the year (approx. 5 hours per month), with flexibility to accommodate other commitments. This includes paid time for training and meetings. As the training will happen near the start of the programme, on a day and time that is most convenient for people, please check that you can commit time in October and November for it.
- No prior research experience is required, just a connection to Barking and Dagenham, an interest in community issues, and a commitment to the project.
- Researchers will be compensated for their time at the London Living Wage (£13.85/hour).
- The network is funded by The Open University’s Open Societal Challenges “Challenge us!” scheme. It has been reviewed and approved by The Open University’s research ethics committee.