DCU launches Community Knowledge Exchange

Dublin City University has established Community Knowledge Exchange to bring together social organisations and researchers to investigate topics of common interest. 

In a bid to make the University even more relevant to local communities a new initiative has been launched by DCU Vice President for Research and Innovation, Professor Alan Harvey in a dialogue with community leaders, organisers and activists at The Helix. Adding to the community-based learning programmes of DCU in the Community, Community Knowledge Exchange seeks to promote community-based research.

Community areas of concern were discussed and the process of how these would be matched with DCU areas of expertise outlined. Proposals included issues around environmental management, evaluation analysis, public health, economic or financial analysis, advocacy and communication strategy for example.

The university has appointed a 'Community Knowledge Broker', Brian Trench, to help interest groups and community organisations formulate their issues as topics for research by students under academic supervision. Brian will identify potential supervisors and facilitate dialogue between them and the external group(s).

For more information, or to discuss a possible issue for research, contact Brian Trench at knowledgebroker@dcu.ie or 01-700 5635.