Connecting Research with Social Responsibility: Developing ‘Age-Friendly’ Communities in Manchester, UK

Abstract

This chapter aims to explore ways of addressing the goals of ‘university social responsibility’ through research activities. It develops the argument that research can play a dual role in producing findings which are beneficial to society but which also empower individuals and local communities through their direct involvement in the research process. The chapter starts with setting out how the University of Manchester defines and approaches ‘social responsibility’. Second, it presents a research project which illustrates this approach. The study has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a best practice example of involving older people as co-investigators in researching and developing what it terms ‘age-friendly’ cities. The chapter then discusses the objectives of the study, the process of involving and training older people to become co-researchers, the research outcomes, and the impact of the research. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of the lessons learned from the project, and suggests ways forward for (re-) connecting research with the goal of social responsibility.