Cambridge Room Research.

Working closely with the Cambridge Room Charity, Cambridge Room Research (CRR) investigates the design and planning of the built and natural environment by highlighting the voices and knowledge of diverse communities including nature. Our research also explores various methods (i.e. mapping, art-based methods) in knowing, engaging with, learning, and sharing these diverse voices and knowledge.

The work of Cambridge Room Research overlaps with that of two connected projects:

Public Map, a major AHRC Green Transitions Ecosystems project, which has centres on Ynys Mon, Cardiff, Wrexham and Cambridge.
Community Design Research Lab, funded by CRASSH, a forum for exploring methodologies for community research.

The CRR team is based at Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge and is open to research collaborations and commissions.

Publications:

Co-curation as civic practice in community engagement

Healthy Greater Cambridge Report

Hartree Ideas Exchange: A Study of Social Value Benefits of Citizens’ Assemblies in Planning

Community Design Research Lab

The Community Design Research Lab (CDRL), formerly the Community Design Research Group, functions as a research system aimed at generating a positive impact on communities. Our world and society are complex systems and to make a positive change we aim to operate as a research system inside the community to identify key leverage points for positive change.

As a system, the CDRL comprises three components: (1) elements, (2) interconnections, and (3) a function or purpose. The elements are ordinary citizens, the community and our multidisciplinary group from various research areas (sub-systems). CDRL's main purpose is to empower communities by creating a platform where they can take agency in shaping. Our work is driven by the pursuit of resilient, adaptable, and anti-fragile communities. Our primary function is the application of research knowledge and innovation directly to the community.

In collaboration with CRASSH , the CDRL will use the platform to collectively experiment with methodological practices, that could than inform the Cambridge Room methodology. Our common aim in CDRL and the Cambridge Room is to humanise the planning and consultation process, and to introduce care to the process so that it could be more inclusive and plural in a way that cultivates and leverages the political energies of ordinary citizens.

If you would like to be updated about any future events hosted by CDRL, please subscribe to our mailing list: https://lists.cam.ac.uk/sympa/info/ucam-cdrl