A key objective of Leeds Social Sciences Institute is to both develop international research links and build collaborative partnerships with a view to enhancing research impact and share best practice to effect support for interdisciplinary social science research.   As part of this agenda we have built a strong partnership with the Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Queensland (ISSR) (UQ) and academics from the University of Glasgow MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit.

We were delighted to host a delegation from UQ along with colleagues from the University of Glasgow earlier this month.  Over the course of three days in Leeds the research teams held a series of themed workshops and focused discussions looking at key research priorities in the areas of climate vulnerability, community engagement, wellbeing and health inequalities, and transport.  To identify the key research priorities and values across teams, the LSSI organised a facilitated LEGO SERIOUS PLAY™ workshop led by Professor Kate Pangbourne.   The visit included a rich roundtable discussion where teams shared experiences and best practices of engaging with policymakers across the three institutions/countries.

By working collaboratively, the groups are hoping to clarify a shared vision for future impactful and global social science research.  By discussing the best impact and research practices at each institution, we can increase the strengths of each team, and continue to grow through the mutually beneficial relationships.  The Leeds part of the visit culminated with a joint seminar where researchers from the three institutions presented their work and shared findings from collaborative research developed by researchers across the three institutions.  Professors Kate Pangbourne and Sarah Irwin (School of Sociology and Social Policy) then travelled to Glasgow where the collaborative activity with UQ and UG continued with a seminar on Health, Equity and Planetary Health, followed by a collaborative workshop with Scottish public and third sector stakeholders from health, housing and transport. We look forward to sharing further outcomes of this collaboration with you in future newsletters.