Embedding environmental science into community organising

Work through the ENCOMPASS project (Engageing Communities with their Environment at the University of Birmingham) with under-served local communities (for example in the Lozells, Handsworth and Balsall Heath areas of Birmingham) has highlighted a range of environmental issues and concerns that resonate within these communities and are also recognised as regional, national and even global issues. The aim of this work was to learn from and adapt the practice of listening to communities, which involved a series of structured meetings and conversations designed to reveal issues and challenges that communities are concerned about and identify where they desire change. By building on existing listening feedback and focusing our efforts on environmental concerns, the following issues have emerged: 1) the importance of biodiverse habitats in urban spaces; 2) waste management - especially litter and the use of plastics; and 3) air quality/pollution. Engagement with local businesses (through the Centre for Research in Ethic Minority Entrepreneurship - CREME) also highlights a desire to make business decisions based on sound environmental practices as well as economic ones. Furthermore, interactions with 'community influencers' to date has unearthed a perceived disconnect with environmental science, whilst also highlighting that an appetite exists for access to high quality environmental research, especially where this is recognised that this will provide important evidence to drive local environmental improvements. In response to these concerns, Citizen's UK recognises that the translation of environmental science expertise and data will greatly enhance their ability to support communities to understand and gain access to the latest research in a range of environmental issues. This placement will enable this knowledge transfer and develop and maintain links, enabling effective brokerage of environmental science with communities. The purpose of the Innovation Placement is thus to use a range of research that includes (but is not limited to) atmosphere chemistry and physics (especially where this relates to urban air pollution), climate and climate change, earth resources, pollution, waste and resources to inform a strategic listening campaign with existing Citizen UK Birmingham members. Work will involve training a team of volunteers drawn from the University of Birmingham research community and Citizens UK members, design and coordination of the strategic listening with selected member groups, co-development of actions with these groups, evaluation and follow up. By the end of the placement, Citizen's UK in collaboration with its members will have a novel evidence base that will inform future environmentally focused listening and enjoy firmly established links with the environmental research community.
The nature of the work undertaken by Citizens UK and the broad scope of the environmental issues that that are recognised by communities it is important that the person undertaking the Innovation Placement has a broad science background that spans a range of disciplines. Furthermore, it is important that they have experience of translating information and providing appropriate 'education' where appropriate. In addition having knowledge of the Citizen's UK methodology of community organising would be advantageous as would having experience of working with or within community organising. The proposed fellow is an experienced environmental scientist with a professional, educational and academic background. This skill set equips the placement fellow to understand the nature and methods of community-based organisations, but also has strong links to NERC remit research (initially - through the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science) but ultimately beyond and including other Universities linked with Citizens UK chapters.