80 likes | 200 Views
The Centre for Urban and Community Research: Introduction Imogen Slater & Claire Levy. CUCR: A community of researchers. Established in 1994 Interdisciplinary research centre within the Sociology Department Early evaluation of local urban regeneration (DCC report 1996)
E N D
The Centre for Urban and Community Research: IntroductionImogen Slater & Claire Levy
CUCR: A community of researchers • Established in 1994 • Interdisciplinary research centre within the Sociology Department • Early evaluation of local urban regeneration (DCC report 1996) • Today: From New Cross to New York, and UK to Europe, Asia and Africa. • Core expertise ranging from visual sociology, action research, participatory practice to creative methodologies
Who we are and what we bring • 5* Sociology department • Strong track record in research and evaluation • EU, national, regional, city wide and local evaluative research • Experience of evaluating European projects including ECP • Experience in working with partnerships • Focus on programmes and interventions that target disadvantaged groups
Examples of CUCR Projectsof Arts and Culture at CUCR • Beyond the Numbers Game (Hi8us) • Skills Exchange (Serpentine) • Street Training & Creative Families (South London Gallery) • Signs of the City (EU Culture Programme) • Sci:dentity (Wellcome Trust) • Capital People Programme (NHS) • Positive Futures (Home Office) • Create London Case Study and internships (Create)
Our Approach • Creative • Interdisciplinary • Creative methods – including visual methods • Qualitative and quantitative • Ethical • Ethical methods • Participatory, reflexive, praxis-oriented • From ivory tower to grassroots • Making a difference • The Craft of Research • Building an evaluative culture: embedding reflection in practice • Working closely with partners and participants, ensuring research is robust, useful and of high quality
Context • Demographic change in Europe –The number of people over 85 will triple by 2050. More over 65s • 2006 Riga Declaration on Digital Inclusion • 2007 European Commission launched the 2010 e-inclusion initiative • 2007 EC communication ‘Ageing well in the information society’ • The Digital Agenda For Europe (2010) target for 2015 is for 60% of disadvantaged people having regular internet use • EU – 8 Key Competencies for Lifelong Learning includes Digital Competence • 2012 EU Year of Active Aging and Solidarity between the generations
Findings and Outcomes from ECP • Delivery • The model • Beyond reminiscence Overall the Digitales method was seen to have a number of clear, Interlinked benefits: • Engaging older people in ICT and developing their skills – increasing digital inclusion • Socialising and sharing – reducing isolation • Recording stories which collectively document personal, social and cultural histories, thereby promoting intercultural and intergenerational dialogue.