Building shared agendas for East London: QMUL and Citizens UK discuss engaged research topics

26 June 2026

In June 2026, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), through the East London Research Network (ELRN), partnered with The East London Citizens Organisation (TELCO) to host their annual joint meeting and bring together researchers, students, and community organisations for a collaborative, action-focused event.

This continues a longstanding partnership that stretches back over 20 years to community research that underpinned the Living Wage campaign. More recently, TELCO organised workshops with local residents that informed the public engagement strategy for a £12.5m bid for a Healthy Society Hub which is being led by QMUL and has been invited to interview stage.

The event brought together 40 attendees, with Queen Mary and community organisations equally represented, creating a balanced and productive mix of academic and grassroots perspectives. Participants’ expertise spanned multiple disciplines - with researchers representing all three Queen Mary faculties - highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the challenges being addressed and the potential for cross-sector collaboration.  

Strengthening civic partnerships 

Designed to strengthen relationships and spark new partnerships, the event celebrated the shared values of QMUL and Citizens UK, both grounded in a shared commitment to social justice and civic engagement. By convening academic and community voices in one space, the event enabled meaningful dialogue, allowing participants to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Opening remarks from Ife Akinroyeje, Community Engagement Manager at Queen Mary, alongside Citizen's Frankie Webster and Assistant Director Emmanuel Gotora, set the tone for a day focused on the history of Queen Mary and TELCO’s relationship, co-production, trust-building, and practical action. The structure -combining short talks, facilitated discussions, and informal networking - created space for both focused conversations and organic connection.  

Exploring shared priorities 

Discussions were organised around five key themes aligned with Citizen’s campaign areas: migration justice, housing and homelessness, work and wages, health equity, and young people. These themes framed conversations around the issues most affecting East London communities, while helping participants identify where research and collaboration could make a tangible difference. For example, how student knowledge exchange projects like SKETCH might support youth led campaigns on transport and policing, or ways that QMUL research on migrants' rights and housing policy could strengthen community advocacy in these areas. 

Across all groups, a shared message emerged: strong partnerships are essential to addressing complex social challenges. While participants highlighted a wealth of existing work, there was a clear appetite for deeper, more sustained collaboration between universities and community organisations. 

Work, wages and economic justice 

Conversations on work and wages focused on how to build fairer and more sustainable employment pathways. Participants discussed the potential for community-based approaches to skills development, alongside the importance of embedding principles of “good work,” such as secure contracts and fair pay.  

There was also strong interest in the role of research in shaping policy change, including how to reinvigorate the case for the Real Living Wage and ensure funding structures better support workforce development.  

Changing the migration conversation 

Discussions on migration focused on challenging misconceptions and broadening public understanding of migration histories and lived experiences. Participants explored creative approaches -including storytelling, film, and collaborative research - to foreground the voices and contributions of migrant communities.  

Access to services, particularly healthcare, was identified as an ongoing challenge. While initiatives such as Safe Surgeries exist, awareness remains limited. Suggested responses included improving outreach, developing multilingual resources, and working with community members to strengthen support structures. Examples of existing community research collaborations demonstrated how co-produced research can influence policy while staying grounded in lived experience. 

Young people at the centre 

The discussion on young people surfaced both urgent challenges and creative responses. Participants highlighted the power of arts-based approaches—such as drama and poetry—to support young people in expressing their experiences and advocating for change. Current listening programmes led by Citizens in schools, where young people shared specific issues about access to transport, was one project discussed where creative approaches might open new ways to create change. 

Key concerns included youth mental health, experiences of violence, and mistrust of services, particularly healthcare and policing. Conversations explored how schools and community spaces might act as sites for early intervention, including peer support initiatives and safer environments. Importantly, participants stressed the need to involve young people not just as beneficiaries, but as active partners shaping programmes and funding priorities.  

From dialogue to action 

While discussions were wide-ranging, one of the most significant outcomes was the strengthening of relationships between attendees. New connections between researchers, students, and community organisations are already creating opportunities for future collaboration. 

The event demonstrated the value of creating inclusive spaces where academic knowledge and community expertise can come together on equal terms. By supporting dialogue, co-creation, and trust-building, initiatives like this help ensure that research is not only impactful, but also responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities. 

This annual event showcases our continued journey towards building a more connected ecosystem for engaged research in East London -one where collaboration drives meaningful, lasting change. 

 

Find out more about QM's partnership with Citizens UK