addarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-up82CF3E98-D323-4B3E-9EDD-EF2E73FB5C9E@1xcancelClose IcondowndownloademailIcons / Social / FacebookfilterhomeIcons / Social / InstagramleftIcons / Social / LinkedIn895A4639-EEE0-4BEB-B7D1-CAB21217861B@1xMenu Iconremoverightsearchtagtik-toktranslateIcons / Social / TwitterupIcons / Social / YouTube

Join us as a Higher Education institution

Why do universities join?

Many universities and university departments choose to be members of Citizens UK. It is an opportunity to demonstrate they are civic institutions committed to social justice and to invest in their people and communities. Community Organising methodology enables academics, professional services staff and students to develop the capacity and skills to build relationships both internally and externally. These relationships and techniques enable staff and students to create effective partnerships and achieve tangible impact.

Quote from Professor Ed Byrne from King's College London
Quote from Professor Ed Byrne from King's College London

Which universities do we work with?

We already work with universities nationwide to support student leaders' development, build universities' relationships with local organisations, and embed community organising and civic engagement into the curriculum.

See below for a list of our current university members and some case studies of our work together.

Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and Chelmsford

University of the Arts, London (UAL)

University of Birmingham

Cardiff University

University of East London (UEL)

University of Leicester

Loughborough University

Leeds Trinity University

King's College London

University of Manchester

Middlesex University

Newcastle University

University of Nottingham

Nottingham Trent University

Open University

Queen Mary, University of London

University of Sussex

Sebi, a university student, talks about the benefits of community organising

We help universities have impact and win change

The real Living Wage in Cardiff

Cardiff University Business School has worked with Citizens Cymru Wales to win pay rises for thousands of low-paid workers in Wales. Our Community Organisers have run training seminars with students to help them connect to local issues facing low paid workers in and around the university campus, helping them learn principles of Organising and connect them to their university study.

Youth Mental Health in Birmingham

Newman University, Birmingham has worked with Citizens UK to end the gap in access to specialist mental health treatment for 16 to 17 year olds (impacting approximately 4,000 young people in Birmingham). They remain a long standing member of our Citizens UK Birmingham chapter and every year students attend Community Organising training as part of their development in university life.

We help universities develop their leaders and strengthen their institution

Staff and student training in London

At King’s College London, Organisers ran a "service-leaders programme" training 30 academics, professional service staff and students to build relationships and create change. Trainees have used the skills to strengthen internal teams, to build relationships with the local Latin American community (Empoderando Familias), set up student societies and run campaigns on welcoming refugees, switching energy companies, and the digital divide. 

Conversations about race uses the House Meetings tool to have tough and honest discussions that explore the experience of race at the institution and develop ways to improve the experience of students and staff of colour.

Case studies

WonkHE: Universities supporting community organising

Can a university be more than a building a community walks past? Citizens UK's James Asfa outlines the role universities can play in community organising

WonkHE: Empowering parents on education

Anne-Marie Canning describes how community organising, and her own mother, inspired her to empower parents

Choir, St Antony’s Catholic School, Newham, member of Newham Citizens, photo taken at Living Wage Week, London event, November 2021

WonkHE: From accredited employer to Living Wage champion

The University of East London is proud to pay the Living Wage. Emmanuel Gotora and Tim Hall share the story of how support for community organising brought fair pay to staff at other local employers