The Researcher Community Showcase: Co-creating research with user communities and interdisciplinary colleagues – Dr Rachel Hale 

EXPO-ENGAGE (Exposure and Environmental Engagement) is an air quality citizen science programme of research, which I have been developing in collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues at the University of Exeter (Dr. Jo Garret, Dr. Sian de Bell and George Kirkham). EXPO-ENGAGE (https://www.expo-engage.co.uk/) aims to facilitate participation in establishing air quality citizen science networks equitably around the country.

We’ve undertaken three research projects since 2021, funded by the GW4 Crucible, UKERC and the Learned Society of Wales. During 2021-22, a pilot study (in Bristol and Penryn, Cornwall), looked at the feasibility of conducting air quality citizen science. The next two projects focussed on finding ways for people in less urban, more deprived, ex-mining communities (in Caerphilly County and Camborne and Redruth, Cornwall) to monitor air quality in their local area. In 2023, through surveys we identified the barriers people in Caerphilly County, Camborne, and Redruth face to taking part in air quality monitoring. We also worked with different community groups and members of the public to develop a network of people interested in tackling air pollution in both areas. The aim of this project was to co-produce a research plan for air quality monitoring in the two areas. The photos below are from our fieldwork in Caerphilly town centre.

Then, with a grant from the Learned Society of Wales, we conducted a workshop with teachers at a primary school in Caerphilly County in June 2024. The aim was to develop ideas to conduct an air quality citizen science project with the school. We also used some of our LSW grant to purchase portable air quality monitors for the children and staff to take part in some air quality citizen science activities. We’ve recently co-designed a research project with the school. which we’ve submitted to another research funding scheme. We’re also collaborating with stakeholders in Cornwall to develop a project there.

The Cardiff Researcher Community Showcase (2024) allowed me to share my experience of co-creating research with diverse user communities and interdisciplinary colleagues, with the challenge of doing it in five minutes! It was interesting to hear about the other presenters’ research and experiences, which were very different to mine. The audience’s questions prompted lots of issues to discuss with the Expo-Engage team. My participation also led to the opportunity to discuss my work with the Knowledge Engagement and Impact team. Following this, the team have been supporting me to participate in a university public engagement event this year.