Written by Professor Tracey Reynolds, Research Lead of Applied Sociology Research Group and Rohima Begum Miah (Sociology Graduate and GWES intern)
The Applied Sociology Research Group is new to University, established in September 2016. This multi-disciplinary group consolidates and brings together social science research across schools/departments located in various Faculties. The research groups’ key thematic priorities are:
- Enhancing citizenship and participation for marginalised groups
- Social inclusion, health and wellbeing
- Community engagement
Since the group’s inception we have placed particular emphasis on creative, participatory and applied social research for community engagement partnerships with voluntary and community organisations to identify and respond to the needs of the local community using research for social activism. Oftentimes this involves developing research projects in collaboration with voluntary organisations and social justice agencies. We have organised various activities, events with the aim of promoting and supporting research and engagement activities with marginalised groups in local community settings. For list of recent activities please project website Applied Sociology https://www.gre.ac.uk/ach/research/centres/asrc
Our most recent example, was an event organised in celebration of Black History Month 2019. Entitled ‘United By/Divided By Race, Ethnicity and Gender: Inter-generational legacies explored’ this event involved collaboration with Caribbean Social forum, a local community organisation for BAME/Caribbean elders and National Maritime Museum, based in Greenwich (26th October 2019). The University’s campus Bathway Theatre in Woolwich, situated in the heart of Woolwich, with an ethnically diverse community, provided the ideal place in which to hold this event.
The event sought to commemorate the history, achievements and legacies of Black people in the UK, across ethnic, gender and generation divides. It was important for us to also celebrate the contribution of Black people to UK society and raise public awareness and knowledge of Black history and culture. In addition to being a day of celebration, we also wanted it to be a learning too and the activities that took place on the day very much spoke to our ethos of the importance of participatory learning!