About this Event
Launch of the CORE Framework: Ethical Community–University Partnerships
What would it take to make community–university partnerships genuinely ethical, accountable and reciprocal?
Join us for the launch of the CORE Framework, an approach to strengthening ethical relationships between universities and the communities with which they work.
Research ethics processes often focus on formal approval, compliance and institutional requirements. But ethical partnership must go further. It requires us to consider who shapes research, whose knowledge is valued, who benefits from the outcomes and how institutions remain accountable to the communities involved.
Developed through practice-based research and engagement with more than 120 participants, the CORE Framework brings together four interconnected principles:
COMMUNITY POWER
Recognising communities as active partners with meaningful influence over research priorities, processes and outcomes.
ONGOING ACCOUNTABILITY
Ensuring that institutions remain answerable to communities throughout and beyond the life of a project.
RECIPROCITY
Building relationships based on mutual value, shared benefit and recognition of different forms of knowledge and contribution.
ETHICS BEYOND COMPLIANCE
Moving beyond formal research ethics approval towards an ongoing commitment to ethical relationships and practice.
What to expect
The launch will introduce the framework, explore its development and consider how its principles can be translated into practice. A panel discussion will bring different perspectives to the challenges and possibilities of building more ethical community–university partnerships.
There will also be an opportunity for audience discussion, reflection and exchange.
Who should attend?
We welcome:
- Community organisations and representatives
- Community researchers and people with lived experience of research
- Academics, researchers and research students
- Research managers and professional services colleagues
- Public engagement and knowledge exchange practitioners
- Funders, policymakers and others interested in ethical research partnerships
Whether you work within a university, a community organisation or across both, this event offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can work differently.
Event details
Thursday 19 November 2026
10am–12pm
Sheffield Town Hall, Sheffield
Organised by Dr Muna Abdi
This is an invitation to move beyond statements of good intention and consider what ethical partnership looks like in practice.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Event venue & nearby stays
Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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