Research
The University of Brighton Coastal Regeneration Research Centre
at University Centre Hastings
The University of Brighton is committed to research activity that ‘is applicable to professional and creative practices and to economic and social transformation'. Our values include engagement ‘with the cultural, social and economic life of our localities, region and nation'.
The development of the Coastal Regeneration Research Centre is a result of rapidly expanding and innovative research activity that is supporting teaching and learning at the University Centre Hastings (UCH), the home of University of Brighton in Hastings.
Current university research projects based at UCH examine key issues facing Hastings and Bexhill such as changing aspirations towards education, migration into Hastings, the role of the cultural and creative industries and sustainability in the urban regeneration process. There are now six University of Brighton research students undertaking research in Hastings and Bexhill, and staff connected with UCH have generated over £150,000 of funds to support research.
Our mission
· To work with local communities to identify research that is a local priority.
· Generate new evidence to support and guide the coastal regeneration process locally and elsewhere.
· Raise the profile of UCH and the Hastings and Bexhill area, nationally and internationally.
· Contribute to the development of the Hastings Helpdesk, which supports local community groups and organisations in need of research support, advice and guidance.
· Raise the level and quality of research produced by staff affiliated with UCH.
Our co-directors
Professor Peter Ambrose and Professor Andrew Church are the centre's co-directors who are also closely involved in the University of Brighton Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) and also the South East Coastal Communities (SECC) project supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
Launch event
The launch event of the Coastal Regeneration Research Centre was at University Centre Hastings on Thursday 30 April 2009 attended by representatives from Voluntary and community organisations, service users and community members, public sector organisations, academics and anyone interested in research and partnership working.
They learnt about the new centre's work, met the researchers, contributed to further discussion, networked and shared best practice, also found out more about Cupp's helpdesk and how the Hastings community can best access the resources of the University of Brighton through University Centre Hastings.
Download the CRRC newsletter May 2009
To find out more about the research centre or to access research support or to discuss an idea for a partnership project:
Contact Polly Rodriguez, Community University Partnership Programme Helpdesk Manager at: p.v.rodriguez@brighton.ac.uk or call (01273) 643229 (Monday-Wednesday) or mobile: 07936 909 828 (Thursday).