Community engagement

Communities are shaped by shared stories.  

All of our project seek to do one or more of the following: 

  • Raise awareness and understanding of the increasing challenges urban residents face with rising climate – and ways to tackle this 

  • Share stories and experiences with community to generate stronger community connections and engage a wider range of residents 

  • Support existing climate focused initiatives by offering time, fundraising and promoting the great work and the necessity 

  • Sharing a humanities informed perspective and inviting local residents to use these approaches to question, research and collect local stories 

community Storytelling

Our Community Storytelling Partnership has grown from deep conversations with individuals and organisations in communities in New York and London most affected by urban heat. This collaborative project will explore two central questions with local communities: 

  1. "What new stories, histories, and even folklore can we create to build better relationships with the sun in the era of climate breakdown?" 

  2. "How can we collectively reduce the impacts of urban heat in our communities and influence policy, ensuring solutions are driven by local voices and informed by humanities research on urban environments?" 

Through this partnership, our collaborators will lead local history research initiatives, host storytellers-in-residence, and curate community exhibitions. Our storytellers will engage deeply with local communities and histories to co-create meaningful narratives. 

The community engagement process is closely tied to both research and public outreach, ensuring that these efforts are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. The success of this project hinges on a collaborative approach, bringing together people, practitioners, and policymakers. Together, we will learn how to improve and make more equitable the dynamic between humans and the sun, benefiting all involved through an interdisciplinary framework. 

Our community partners

  • Somers Town Community association

    A charity based in the heart of North West London that is dedicated to providing a meaningful and positive influence at every level of people’s lives through various opportunities and services.

  • A Space for Us

    A community-led museum in Somers Town, Camden, dedicated to preserving local working-class heritage, amplifying local voices, and celebrating the area's history of radical reformers and rebels. It also campaigns for urban sustainability and reducing inequality. 

  • Scene & Heard

    An award-winning mentoring charity and professional theatre company in Somers Town, Camden, pairing children with arts professionals to create original theatre. By nurturing imagination and confidence, it empowers young people to discover their creative potential and experience public success. 

  • King Manor Museum

    A historic house museum interpreting founding father Rufus King’s political and antislavery legacy to foster critical thinking for a stronger democracy. It also serves the local Jamaica community with free tours, festivals, and cultural events. 

  • Newtown Creek Alliance

    A community-based organization committed to restoring, revealing, and revitalizing Newtown Creek. Through advocacy, education, and ecological restoration, it works to improve water quality, habitat, and community health while engaging schools and the public in environmental stewardship. 

  • Queens Memory Project

    A community archiving initiative preserving the personal histories of Queens residents. Through story-sharing events, oral histories, and photo-scanning projects, it brings local narratives into public archives.