SHOW AND TELL Sessions: A New Initiative at CARES to Foster Collaborative Research Centre for Applied Research in Empowering Society

May 2024

CARES is excited to announce the launch of its Show and Tell strand of activities, which aims at bringing together academic knowledge from across the various disciplines represented in the Centre. Spearheaded by Dr Torange Khonsari, these sessions provide a platform for early career researchers (ECRs) and more established scholars to share their research build a community dedicated to empowerment and systemic change. 

Each session of "Show and Tell" features two to three speakers presenting their research, providing insights into the diverse themes and cultures within CARES. These sessions not only highlight individual research projects but also promote interdisciplinary dialogue and potential partnerships. 

Session 1: Food, Community, and the City 

The inaugural session took place on 2 May 2024, with presentations from Dr Hilda Mulrooney and Dr Torange Khonsari. 

Dr Hilda Mulrooney, Reader in Nutrition and Health, discussed "Community and beyond: food-related research." Dr Mulrooney emphasized the multifaceted role of food in community building, mental health, and resilience. Her research spans various community food projects, illustrating how food can serve as a powerful tool for social cohesion and community asset development. Projects like social supermarkets, KingsGate Student Pantry, Au Law Farm, and BRITE Box were highlighted to demonstrate the impact of food on creating a sense of identity and belonging.

Dr Torange Khonsari, Reader in Art, Architecture and Design Activism, presented on "Distributive Commons: A political sphere between the state and the market." Dr. Khonsari shared her experiences as a grassroots community activist and how her work as an architect and public artist negotiates access to urban spaces for citizen-driven initiatives. She explored the concept of 'New Commons' and its role in fostering citizen empowerment and autonomy, drawing on a long-term research project conducted between 2014-2021.

Session 2: Empowering Communities Through Education, Evaluation, and Sport 

The second session was held on 13 May 2024, featuring talks by Dr Ama Agyeman, Dr James Alexander, and Dr Stephen Hills. 

Dr Ama Agyeman, Senior Lecturer in Education, focused on her scholarly activist approaches to addressing educational challenges. Her presentation highlighted her doctoral research on the experiences of parents whose children were permanently excluded from school, discussing significant implications for policy and practice. Dr Agyeman advocated for interdisciplinary approaches and creative methodologies to explore real-world solutions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement. 

Dr James Alexander, Associate Enterprise Fellow, shared insights from his experience evaluating Islington’s Youth Safety Strategy. He discussed the complexities of shaping evaluation scopes, delivering challenging perspectives while maintaining good relationships, and leveraging such evaluations to develop further research projects. 

Dr Stephen Hills, Reader in Sport Management, presented a study titled "A Cluster Randomization Trial Measuring the Effects of a Physical Activity Intervention on Human Capital in the United Kingdom." Dr Hills highlighted his interest in sport-for-development, illustrating how sport can empower communities. He shared examples from his evaluations of sport-for-development programs by Fulham FC/Barclays Bank, the NFL, and Magic Bus, highlighting a mixed-methods approach to measure and explain the effectiveness of these initiatives.