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Cities are dynamic environments and provide a living lab for addressing complex interdisciplinary challenges. City as Lab connects digital research with the people, places and policymakers of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The ‘lab’ element refers to research done with a community, not to a community - City as Lab is about collaboration, active listening and shaping research agendas and projects with communities and partners in our city region.

City as Lab facilitates collaboration through programme activities, small-scale project funding, the offer of digital tools for place-led research, and use of friendly convening space at Castle Meadow Campus in the heart of the city.

Contact us at cityaslab@nottingham.ac.uk

Meet the Team

Paul Grainge

Academic Director, City as Lab

Paul Grainge is Professor of Film and Television Studies in the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Arts. He has led a number of major strategic initiatives involving partner collaboration in Nottingham and the Midlands region.

Between 2016-2020, he was Director of the top-ranked AHRC Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (M4C), bringing together eight leading universities across the Midlands to support the professional and personal development of the next generation of arts and humanities doctoral researchers.

Paul was formerly Academic Director of Digital Nottingham, from which City as Lab has developed. At a national level, he serves on the AHRC Advisory Board.

Jasper Donelan

Digital Research Specialist, City as Lab

Jasper Donelan is one of the University's Digital Research Specialists, a team of colleagues who advise on innovative and secure uses of technology for research.

Jasper is interested in ways of making data and technology engaging for diverse audiences, as well as in the interaction between physical and digital assets.

Sara Winskill

Senior Projects Administrator, City as Lab

Sara Winskill is an experienced Senior Administrator, providing support to the City as Lab programme and projects.

Sara has worked in a range of roles at the University of Nottingham over several years. With a background in Research and Innovation, Sara has built up knowledge and experience in managing both internal and external funded projects, along with Local and Regional Development Funds.

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