Developing a cross-sector Community of Practice: A blueprint for sharing knowledge, skills and connections

In recent years, cross-sector collaboration has gained increasing prominence within the research world. Within this context, SPARK has been exploring how Communities of Practice (CoPs) can serve as effective structures for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across sectors and silos. This blog delves into the establishment and evolution of a Creative and Innovative Research Methods CoP that SPARK convenes, charting its development as an explorative and supportive space for learning and experimentation.

From Theory to Practice: What is a Community of Practice?

Drawing on Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner (2015) writings on CoPs, we can see that they hinge on three core elements: domain (the shared area of interest), community (the social relationships that form), and practice (the shared repertoire of tools, concepts, and frameworks that are applied). Traditionally, CoPs focus on peer learning, knowledge sharing, and collective problem-solving, building a culture of collaboration and trust.

At SPARK, the Creative and Innovative Research Methods CoP was established to bring together a diverse range of individuals from Cardiff and beyond, including academic researchers, postgraduate students, third-sector professionals, public sector workers, and social entrepreneurs. These members are united by their shared interest in creative research methods and their desire to explore how these methods can enhance their work. The CoP was designed as an informal and welcoming space where ideas could be exchanged, methods tested, and a peer-support network cultivated. From the outset, the aim was to build a community that celebrated practice-based expertise alongside traditional, research-led skills.

The Journey: Co-creating the Foundations and Building Momentum

The development of the CoP began with a series of creative and collaborative research methods taster sessions, branded as ‘Method Magpie workshops,’ which SPARK hosted in 2023. These workshops brought together a small group of individuals within SPARK – both from academia and the third sector – who were interested in experimenting with creative approaches to research. The success of these workshops indicated an appetite for further collaboration, leading SPARK to organize co-design sessions in late 2023 and early 2024 to explore the creation of a formal CoP.

During these co-design sessions, participants used a variety of collaborative techniques, including serious play, road-mapping, and feedback surveys, to define the core parameters of the CoP. By working together, they shaped the CoP’s domain (creative and innovative research methods), identified its target community (Cardiff-based professionals meeting four times a year in person), and established its core practices (applying creative methods in research settings across academia, public services, the third sector, and social enterprises). This collaborative process laid the groundwork for a successful Research Culture Fund application, which enabled the official launch of the CoP in the summer of 2024.

The CoP’s first session, largely organized by SPARK, featured a range of activities that had been suggested by participants through a registration form. Professor EJ Renold delivered a taster session on data poems, showcasing work from a recent research project. Other activities included group discussions on topics proposed by attendees and a networking activity to help participants connect with one another. Since then, CoP members have increasingly taken the lead in proposing and facilitating sessions. For example, at a recent meeting, Children in Wales presented a toolkit they are developing, and Dr. Martin Kitchener shared findings from a study on co-production he’d undertaken with a colleague, Panayiota Georgiou and Phil Lambert tested-out a quick creative icebreaker activity. Moving forward, SPARK is excited to feature work from Dr. Laura Shobiye in an upcoming CoP meeting.

The Role of Co-Creation and Peer Support

The CoP has evolved from being a platform for knowledge sharing into a collaborative environment where participants co-develop new approaches and provide one another with informal peer support. This shift has allowed the CoP to lean into its most developmental potential. As one member remarked: “I really like the way the group has moved into a more experimental and supportive phase.” The CoP sessions offer scope to trial and test methods and outputs that are still in the draft stage or not yet formally published. Members of the CoP are not passive recipients of knowledge but active co-creators; they both offer and receive critical feedback on the methods being tested, thus supporting creativity and innovation. As one CoP attendee stated: “I loved it all, the structure was great and particularly enjoyed the opportunity to try the method!” Additionally, ideas for CoP-related activity are emerging from members. For example, a Method Hack event idea is brewing, where participants will collaboratively create new research methods or stretch existing ones, with the goal of producing an output such as a toolkit. This idea was initiated by a CoP member – Phil Lambert – and SPARK’s role as convenor is to help bring ideas like this into fruition.

In another example of the CoP’s collaborative nature, members are currently designing the next iteration of the Method Magpie workshop series, which will take place in early 2025. These sessions will cover topics such as working with creative practitioners in research settings, using fiction writing as a research method, and applying experiential methods to bring data to life. Cultivating a sense of community and a supportive environment has enabled members to feel confident in putting their expertise centre-stage knowing it will be valued by their peers.

A Blueprint for Creating and Cultivating a Cross-Sector CoP

1. Define the domain and purpose early on: A clear and specific domain helps to unite members around a shared interest. At the same time, the domain should be broad enough to attract a diverse range of stakeholders.
2. Encourage shared ownership and agenda-setting: For a CoP to thrive, members need to feel a sense of ownership over the space. This can be achieved by encouraging participants to lead sessions, propose ideas, and shape the group’s future direction.
3. Maintain regularity and momentum: CoPs should meet regularly, with clear schedules that allow participants to plan ahead. Offshoot events, activities and communications between meetings can help maintain engagement.
4. Foster continuous feedback and reflection: Regular assessment of the CoP’s effectiveness is crucial. Collect feedback from members to identify what is working well and what can be improved. How are members using what they’ve learned? What changes need to be made to improve engagement and outcomes? Don’t be scared of the CoP evolving in new ways – it should be rooted in its members’ needs!
5. Allow flexibility for experimentation: Building on the previous point, a truly experimental CoP needs a structure that is flexible. Activities should be shaped by what members want them to be rather than the convenor determining them.
6. Value diverse forms of expertise: CoPs should avoid reproducing traditional knowledge hierarchies. Every member brings valuable experiences and expertise to the table, and the collective intelligence of the group should be emphasised. The idea that ‘alone we know a little, together we know a lot’ has driven our approach.

Through the CoP, we have brought together people who might not normally interact and we are seeing that this approach is creating richer learning and creativity.

This Community of Practice is free to join and open to anyone who lives or works in Cardiff who utilises creative and innovative research methods