How we deliver Connected Communities

University of Staffordshire builds strong partnerships, supports staff and students to engage with communities and understand their place-based impact, and connect communities through research, teaching and learning and knowledge exchange.  

Partnerships

Staffs CAN

Staffs CAN is the University of Staffordshire’s Community Advisory Network. The group launched in Autumn 2022 to provide community members and civil society partners a means to connect with the University of Staffordshire, stay updated regarding developments and influence civic and community activities.

Staff

Students

Students are at the heart of our Connected Communities vision. We support students to engage with Connected Communities through:

Discover Digital Student Laptops

Through our partnership with Discover, funded by Stoke-on-Trent's Community Renewal Fund, we supported students to access laptops to support their studies.

Discover Digital Student Ambassadors

Students played an important role in supporting community members in Stoke-on-Trent to access digital technologies.

Internships and opportunities 

Through our Public Engagement and Research Team, we have supported graduates from the university with two 120 hour paid internships. These positions help to support the personal and professional development of graduates from the university. 

In 2023 graduate interns supported us in the creation of a giant boardgame to support our consultations on the Public Manifesto for Research, and the creation of an animation about Participatory Action Research at the University of Staffordshire.  

Partnership with Students Union 

We are partnering with the Students Union to grow a Student Network to help build connections between our students and our communities. 

Supporting communities through research

Impact Case Studies 

As a Civic University it is important to us that as well as being excellent in its own right, our research benefits the communities and people we serve as a university. 

Research with communities 

Much of our research involves the full and active participation of communities as equal partners in the research process.

Research with impact in our region 

Other research has had a significant impact on our region through policy. Several of our Research Centres are leaders in this work, including:  

Connecting our communities with Teaching and Learning

University Courses 

Leadership in Action on Poverty

This course provides students with the insight and strategic development skills to operate and lead in an organisational setting focussed on taking action on poverty in all its forms.

Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship

The Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship is a unique programme which gives you the opportunity to develop a start-up idea into a sustainable, scalable and investable business.

Volunteering 

We are dedicated to providing volunteer services in our local and regional areas, and even offer virtual volunteering opportunities for those with travel or time limitations. Volunteering is a great opportunity for our students to gain experience in in a variety of settings including charities, schools, and hospitals. 

Placements 

We have an established history of using our strong links with industry to secure placements for our students. A placement is usually a 12-month full-time role that relates to the subject a student is studying. The placement opportunities are based across the country but also across businesses and organisations across Staffordshire.  

Sharing Knowledge 

Sharing Knowledge is fundamental for our engagement with communities in Staffordshire. Knowledge is created and shared between researchers, lecturers, students, community members, and businesses.