Built with communities - shaped by place

Engaging through place

Ignite: fast-track community collaboration

Ignite is our flagship incubator for fast, purposeful partnerships. It helps community and university teams co-create projects that address pressing issues, from uncovering hidden marine pollutants in Chichester Harbour to bringing carers’ voices to the Welsh Parliament through craftivism. Now in its seventh round, Ignite has supported dozens of initiatives tackling social, cultural, and environmental challenges and has reached thousands of people across the region.

“This kind of collaborative partnership makes delivering long-term successful projects, and accessing funding much easier.” Tony Kalume, Diversity Lewes

Brains at the Bevy: academic research meets community life

Running since 2016, Brains at the Bevy brings lively, research-based conversations into the heart of a community pub in Moulsecoomb. This award-winning series features University of Brighton academics speaking on topics from climate justice to mental health. Where possible, talks are co-hosted with community experts - creating a setting that values openness, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. 
 

“It’s a great opportunity to talk about complex issues in a way that’s relatable to everyone.” Audience member

Innovation Hubs: creating collaborative space for change

Our innovation hubs bring together researchers, students, partners, and communities to co-create solutions to real-world challenges. Rooted in our mission, We are Brighton: change begins here, the hubs are guided by our core values of equity, courage, creativity, partnership, and sustainability. They will harness the university’s research strengths, facilities, and networks to drive skills and innovation that benefit communities across the region and beyond.

The Health Innovation Hub is already making an impact, supporting projects that enhance wellbeing through creative, cross-sector collaboration. Two additional hubs, focused on sustainability and social innovation, are in development. 

Together these hubs will foster courageous thinking, nurture creativity, and build equitable partnerships that address regional challenges and deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

Classroom to community

Community research: collaborative learning

Students often contribute to research co-designed with community partners, working alongside academics on live projects that explore real-world challenges.

From analysing sea pollutants in lab settings to running user experience surveys for an immersive heritage exhibition, their involvement helps create knowledge that’s practical, inclusive, and grounded in place. This hands-on learning makes a lasting impression. 

“Dr Marcus Winter recruited us from our degree course to help with the research. It’s interesting to see it in action, with people trying it and actually revealing real things!” MSc User Experience student

Community action: learning by doing

Students work with community organisations in many ways - through placements, volunteering, and course-based live projects. Whether mentoring in local schools, supporting health outreach services, or helping charities with their branding, these opportunities enable students to apply their learning in ways that make a tangible difference.

Importantly, this impact flows both ways. Students build skills, gain confidence, and develop a stronger sense of purpose - while deepening the university’s connection to its communities.

"The placement was great, sometimes we're at the beach, sometimes we're up in the hills. I think the big part is just trying something new. Try it. Be confident. You can do it as I did!" MRes Ecology and Conservation student