Supporting local communities through partnership, research and collaboration
Collaboratory is a pioneering 8 year, £7.4m project supported by Research England, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham, the Universities for Nottingham partnership, the University of Leicester, De Montfort University, Loughborough University, and the Universities Partnership.
Collaboratory brings together researchers, community organisations and local people to deliver meaningful change for local communities through research.
Find out more about our work here.
Local Voices in Research: Join the conversation and share your ideas on what local priorities our next round of research projects should address. Learn more.
Research Placements: We offer fully funded, part-time, Research Placement studentships to local candidates with strong community experience and potential for success. Learn more.
PhD studentships: We offer fully funded, full-time, PhD scholarships to talented individuals with strong potential who want to make a difference to local communities through research. Learn more.
Collaborate: We are always keen to hear from local community-focused organisations to talk about ways we might be able to work together. Get in touch now.
Through collaborations between university researchers, citizens and local community-focused organisations, Collaboratory aims to make a positive impact on our communities in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire and Rutland. Over the programme’s eight years, we will train 77 PhD candidates and 37 Research Placement candidates in a unique programme of locally relevant, challenge-based research that will support development within local communities, broadening prospects and facilitating change, driving growth and improving well-being.
Find out more about our current research projects
Closing date for 2027 PhD Studentships: 11.59pm, Sunday 29th November 2026
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Latest News
Stuart Greensmith White: Hearing Local Community Voices Within Research
Friday 16, October 2026 When Dr Stuart Greensmith White successfully completed his PhD without any corrections, he achieved something very few researchers do. For Stuart, however, the achievement is a…
Nature, Community and Wellbeing at the Heart of Raheema Caratella’s Collaboratory PhD
Wednesday 14, October 2026 A Collaboratory PhD project is exploring how local communities connect with nature, with researcher Raheema Caratella leading an innovative study centred on Bradgate Park, a…
Collaboratory 2027 PhD Studentships: Application Guidance and Support
Our studentships Our 3 year fully funded Collaboratory PhD studentships provide an opportunity to undertake research that addresses real world challenges identified by communities and organisati…

Research That’s Engaged with Communities




