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  • Ignite: Fast. Focused. Co-created.

Ignite: Fast. Focused. Co-created.

Big ideas don’t always need big timelines. Ignite is the University of Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV’s flagship programme for supporting community-university projects. Grounded in local need, built on collaboration, and designed to make a difference in months, not years. 

This innovative fast-tracked programme offers structured support, mentoring, and seed funding to help co-produced projects take root quickly. Projects typically run over nine months and follow a flexible six-step model that supports co-creation, experimentation, and shared learning across partnerships.

In just a few months, these partnerships can deliver real change - shaping services, strengthening policy and practice, and helping partners explore complex issues in new ways. We use creative tools - short films, podcasts, and other forms of legacy storytelling - to share learning in ways that are accessible, engaging, and built to last. 

At its heart, Ignite brings together the insight, experience, and creativity of communities and universities to offer practical solutions that communities can build on long after the project ends. 

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Communities of practice pioneer endorses Ignite.

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Ignite in action

Since 2018, Ignite has supported nearly 50 fast-track partnerships - bringing together over 100 community and university collaborators and engaging thousands of people. Backed by £300,000 of investment from UKRI, Research England, and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, projects have tackled real-world challenges from Chichester to Crawley, Hastings to Hove, and Cardiff to Cairo. Below, is a selection of projects that show what Ignite looks like in action - and the kinds of change it helps make possible.

East Sussex: Recovery peer trainers reshape frontline training

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In Hastings, people in recovery from drug and alcohol dependency are leading professional training for frontline staff, from housing officers to police. Co-produced with Seaview, East Sussex County Council and the University of Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV, the sessions offer insight into addiction and recovery through lived experience. With a ‘train the trainers’ programme underway, this innovative model is gaining momentum and supports wider efforts to reduce stigma and create culture change. 

"We're looking at a strategy around reducing stigma. The peer trainers are changing minds by showing that recovery is possible and that addiction doesn’t define someone’s potential." Mark Williams, East Sussex County Council 

Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV and Hove: TDC

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Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV and Hove: Reimagining the past with technology

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At The Regency Town House in Hove, an Ignite partnership explored how immersive technology could transform museum experiences. Using motion sensors and archival materials, visitors could virtually redecorate a historic drawing room, layering in wallpaper, portraits, and even their own image. The project blended storytelling, heritage and human-computer interaction to create a playful, participatory experience that reimagines how we engage with the past. 

"We brought the building, the assets, and the history, and the researchers brought the technology and research rigour to help us realise our ambitions.” Phil Blume, The Regency Town House

West Sussex: Crawley project

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West Sussex: Uncovering hidden marine pollutants

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A research partnership between the University of Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV and Chichester Harbour Conservancy set out to investigate microplastics but also uncovered an unexpected pollutant - fibreglass particles from boats.

By combining scientific expertise with local knowledge and involving students and community organisations, the project linked pollution to oyster decline and raised the issue with key agencies through a public symposium. It secured over £300k in follow-on funding and sparked international research collaborations. 

"Our expertise is totally different to the university’s. Helping each other gave a much better result for both organisations.” Richard Craven, Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Wales: Craftivism brings carers’ voices to parliament 

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A partnership between the University of Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV and campaigning group We Care used embroidered dusters to spotlight the lives of unpaid carers. Through workshops, interviews, and an exhibition at the Welsh Parliament, the project helped carers share their stories and influence political debate. Backed by Oxfam Cymru, it reached thousands online, won a national award, and continues to grow through podcasts, publications, and policy influencing.

"Regionally we brought together isolated carers. Nationally we brought carers’ voices to the Senedd through a display of dusters embroidered with words they had not heard before.” Ignite partners

Egypt: Preserving endangered crafts through digital tools

Women making wooden title

In Cairo, an Ignite partnership supported efforts to safeguard traditional woodcraft techniques at risk of disappearing. Working with the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation, the project explored how digital tools could help document and share specialist knowledge, connecting older artisans with younger designers. Through workshops and exhibitions, the collaboration aimed to support cultural continuity, economic opportunity, and the long-term sustainability of Egypt’s craft heritage. 

“We’re trying to preserve endangered craft knowledge, like an endangered language, and support its transmission to younger generations through technology.” Dr Karina Rodriguez Echavarria

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