The Research Councils provide a number of knowledge exchange schemes which offer
assistance to local authorities. These enable them to build their research capacity,
whilst allowing academics the opportunity to contribute to and experience at first
hand practical and policy issues that local authorities are facing.
For the latest Research Council knowledge exchange opportunities, view
here
There are also a number of other ways to become involved with the Research Councils,
through research programmes, funding calls and consultations. The Access to Funding
and Research leaflet provides a window to accessing these opportunities.
For the latest Research Council funded research opportunities, view
here
The examples below illustrate what is possible through knowledge exchange opportunities.
Early Intervention in Parental Substance Misuse: working with expectant mothers
using drugs and alcohol
The issue of parental substance misuse is an important one for all councils.
This partnership between Stirling Council and the University of Stirling will aim
to identify the risks and needs for unborn children living with parental substance
misuse, and improve pre-birth assessment and planning processes. This project will
enable better appraisal of evidence, and will develop better practice and learning
opportunities for staff.
This project was made possible by the LARCI Pilot Placement Fellowships Scheme.
For information about this and other projects made possible by this scheme view
here
Building Safer Communities
This project led by the University of Glasgow aims to provide a summary of the
existing evidence around the planning of community safety, split into two themes:
effective community safety interventions, and the delivery of community safety.
From this, four local authority community safety practitioners will undertake evaluations
of their current practice, with a view to improving their current processes.
This project was made possible by the
LARCI/ SFC/ ESRC Engaging with Scottish
Local Authorities Scheme. For information about this and other projects made
possible by this scheme view
here
Local Authority Cost Calculator for the Support of ‘Looked After’ Children
This partnership aimed to implement a full service cost calculator in a local
authority, incorporating the total range of social services, education and other
process provided in support of ‘looked after’ children.
This partnership between Loughborough University and Coventry City Council was
made possible by the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Scheme.For more
information about KTPs and a list of current and past individual awards made under
this scheme relating to local government, view
here
Reducing Drug Risk
An ESRC-funded collaborative CASE studentship between the University of Plymouth
and Plymouth Drug and Alcohol Action Team has influenced new drug-related policy
and practice locally. Research by Steven Parkin, with supervisor Dr Ross Coomber,
revealed how places produced risks, how policing and other service activities displaced
rather than resolved risk, and led to discussions of new practice such as locating
safe injecting outlets in places of need.
This project was made possible by the CASE Studentship Scheme. For more
information about this and other projects made possible by this scheme, which relate
to local government, view
here
The Needs of Young Adult Carers living in the London Borough of Lewisham
This eight week placement enabled a social science student to undertake research
into the needs young adult carers aged 16-24 living in Lewisham. The subsequent
report provided Carers Lewisham, a small independent charity, with evidence to seek
continued funding and gave the student a confidence building opportunity in contributing
to pioneering research in the field.
This project was made possible by the Social Science Workplace Experience
Programme scheme. For more information about this and other projects made possible
by this scheme, which relate to local government view
here