RESEARCH & LEARNING
Evidence grounded in lived experience
URP uses research, community insight and learning from practice to understand barriers, develop practical responses and contribute to wider change. Our work begins with the experiences and priorities of refugee and migrant communities.
How we work with evidence
We connect lived experience, community knowledge and structured learning so that evidence leads to practical action.
01
Listen
Start with lived experience, community priorities and the barriers people encounter in everyday life.
02
Investigate
Use research, reflection and structured learning to understand what is happening and why.
03
Respond
Translate evidence into projects, support, advocacy and partnership that address identified needs.
04
Share
Make learning accessible to communities, practitioners, partners and decision-makers so it can support wider change.
Research & publications
Selected URP research that documents community experience, identifies barriers and informs practical responses.
Home Learning Inequalities
This research explores the barriers faced by migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking families during home learning, including limited access to technology and internet, language and cultural barriers, financial pressures and difficulties navigating school systems. It highlights the need for more targeted and equitable educational support.
Empowering Immigrant Voters
This qualitative study examines awareness of voting rights, electoral participation and barriers to engagement in England. It identifies challenges including limited understanding and logistical barriers, while highlighting the importance of multilingual information, community-based learning, accessible guidance and targeted awareness initiatives.
Migrant and Refugee Family-School Engagement: A Constructive Grounded Theory of Experience
This PhD research examines the disconnect between migrant and refugee families’ educational engagement and how that engagement is recognised within schools. Drawing on experiences across families, young people, school staff and community organisations, it develops the Partnership Empowerment Model (PEM) as a framework for recognition, reciprocity, trust and shared educational responsibility.
Helping Families Breathe: From Parallel Work to Partnership Empowerment in Community-Mediated School Engagement
Building on research with migrant and refugee families, students, school staff and community groups, this article examines how disconnected “parallel working” can undermine trust and educational access. It introduces community actors as structural mediators and presents the Partnership Empowerment Model as a four-way partnership between students, families, schools and community organisations.
From evidence to action
Research is most useful when it changes what happens next. These examples show how URP connects evidence with practical community responses.
HOME-LEARNING RESEARCH
Home-learning research → Thriving Families
Research identified barriers including inadequate technology, connectivity, language support and suitable learning environments. URP responded through digital access, one-to-one tuition and practical educational support.
ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION
Research → community dialogue and action
Research and community conversations informed a workshop bringing together residents, community organisations and political representatives to discuss barriers and practical ways to strengthen participation.
Learning also happens through practice
Our projects generate practical learning about how people experience education, employment, digital systems and community participation. We use that learning to improve our work and share insights with partners and wider networks.
CURRENT PROJECT
Digital Inclusion & Community Empowerment
Learning from everyday digital barriers, trusted support and the ways online systems affect access to work, education and services.
PROJECT HISTORY
Thriving Families
Learning from an education response that connected research findings with devices, tutoring and family support.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Civic & Political Participation
Learning from community conversations about voting rights, accessible information and participation in local democratic life.
Interested in learning or researching with us?
We welcome collaboration with universities, community organisations, practitioners and partners interested in research that is grounded in lived experience and connected to practical change.