Community Research Network

At its heart, the CRN is about listening to the community and making sure research is done with people, not to them. It values equality, mutual support and care for one another. Everyone’s contribution matters, and every voice helps shape the future.

Our partners

The CRN began in 2025 with a “broad church” of organisations who care about the East Marsh and want to see it thrive. These include:

Foresight
University of Lincoln
North East Lincolnshire Council
North East Lincolnshire Health and Care Partnership
NSPCC
Our Future
Learning 4 Life-Gy

Each partner brings their own networks, resources and expertise, but it’s the people and their shared values that make the CRN work.

How it works

The CRN is designed to be flexible and non-hierarchical. Instead of a rigid structure, it works more like a set of connected circles, or balloons, where people and organisations can move between roles depending on time, skills and energy.

There are six main ways to get involved:

Community Researchers – residents who design and run action research.
Community Participants – people who share their lived experience to guide the research.
Community Advisory Board – a “North Star,” checking that research has the positive impact we’re aiming for.
Steering Group – organisations and individuals who meet regularly to set direction and make key decisions.
Working Groups – short-term teams focused on specific projects.
Affiliated Members – organisations who can’t commit to regular meetings but benefit from and support the research.

This fluid model helps keep the CRN open, inclusive and sustainable.

Put simply?

Usually someone from outside comes and studies a place like ours. Here it works the other way round. Local people pick the questions, do the research, and say what needs to change.