City of Culture Focus Studies: Events
Researchers presenting the results of their focus studies (Photograph: Tim Hammerton)
Focus studies were commissioned by the Coventry City of Culture Trust and undertaken by research teams at Coventry University and the University of Warwick. They were asked to answer specific research questions that linked to the UK City of Culture 2021 (UK CoC 2021) Theory/Story of Change.
Following the production of reports, each team held an event, either in-person or online, to share their findings. Pages have been created for each of these events, with slide presentations available for all focus studies and video recording for three of the events.
Volunteering, Wellbeing and Civic Pride
Focus study question: How and to what extent has the City Hosts volunteering programme impacted on those taking part, particularly in terms of subjective wellbeing and civic pride?
A seminar took place at the Coventry Telegraph Hotel on 2 November 2022. Speakers were Oyinlola Oyebode and Maxine Whelan.
The research teams were based at the Warwick Medical School’s Department of Health Sciences and Coventry University’s Research Centre for Intelligent Healthcare.
Integrating the Environment
Focus study question: How successfully has the environmental theme been integrated into UK City of Culture 2021?
A webinar was held on Thursday 8 December 2022. Speakers were David Bek and Geraldine Brown, with an introduction from Nick Henry.
The research teams were based at Coventry University’s Centre for Business in Society and Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience research centres.
Civic, Cultural and Business Partnerships
Focus study question: What effect has the title of UK City of Culture had on civic, cultural and business partnership co-working and to what extent can these partnerships be sustainable?
A webinar was held on Wednesday 25 January 2023. Speakers were Vishalakshi Roy, Johnathan Vickery, David Wright and Heidi Ashton, with an introduction from Jonothan Neelands.
The research team was based at the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies at the University of Warwick.
Policing, Culture and Community: West Midlands Police as City of Culture Partners
Focus study question: How can the police use City of Culture as a platform to engage the public and improve public perceptions of policing, whilst simultaneously helping to manage crime and protect event attendees?
A webinar was held on Tuesday 14 March 2023. Speakers were Jackie Hodgson and Rachel Lewis.
This study was undertaken by the University of Warwick’s Centre for Operational Police Research, in partnership with the West Midlands Police.
Faith and Culture
Focus study question: How did programming and cultural leadership engage faith and community groups in Coventry and the region?
A webinar was held on Tuesday 28 March 2023. Speakers were Dilwar Hussain, Deepak Naik and Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, with an introduction from Tim Hammerton.
The research team was based at Coventry University’s Centre for Peace, Trust and Social Relations.
Acknowledgement
Focus study events were organised by the respective research teams, with support from their own institutions. Support was also provided by Tim Hammerton at Coventry University.
