The Centre for Urban and Community Research:

Introduction

Imogen Slater & Claire Levy 

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

CUCR: A community of researchers

Who we are and what we bring5* Sociology department Strong track record in research and evaluation EU, national, regional, city wide and local evaluative

researchExperience of evaluating European projects including

ECPExperience in working with partnershipsFocus on programmes and interventions that target

disadvantaged groups

http://www.gold.ac.uk/cucr

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 reminiscenceOverall 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.