Social Justice Projects

The Social Justice programme supports collaborative projects between university colleagues and VCSE sector organisations that are short, timely and action-focused (Pulse Reviews).

The theme of the 2024 Pulse Reviews was Poverty and Cost of Living. Five projects were launched at our Social Justice Forum in October 2024. You can find out more about these projects below and download the full reports.

What our partners said about the Social Justice Fund and the 2024 Social Justice Forum

Just having that small amount of funding, we are already seeing impacts from that.

It was great for a platform to build on the work we have already done, and it really reinforced other work we can do moving forward. As a charity it helped with the dissemination of the work.

It was one of the more accessible funding processes, and it was one of our better research experiences. The joined-up sense of the fund was very notable.

It was a really good opportunity, as a VSCE organisation, we are not big, but we have a big reach. The relationship with the university, students, staff and researchers is already ongoing so that was a strength.

It was a great experience to present and gives us as a charity the opportunity to share what we have done.

Pleasantly surprised by the profile and turnout. It felt like a welcoming and serious place.

We made connections, and the more informal approach worked well to engage in discussions.

Together Through Crisis

This collaborative project between International Community of Sunderland (ICOS), a Sunderland-based registered charity, Newcastle University, and the NIHR North East North Cumbria Applied Research Collaboration consisted of interviews, creative art-based workshops and a live artist workshop to explore the extent to which the cost-of-living crisis impacts on the wellbeing of Eastern European families living in Sunderland, North East England.

Download the full report - Together Through Crisis

Grassroot Innovations Tackling Housing Precarity

This project showcases best practice from community organisations engaged in tackling issues of urban precarity. Short films focusing on practices were produced, drawing on experiences in low-income settlements in Latin America. It is aimed at community organisations, practitioners, and policymakers, with the aim of fostering more democratic and inclusive approaches of urban planning and housing policies.

Download the full report - Grassroot Innovations Tackling Housing Precarity

The Hidden Burden of Poverty Among Adoptive Families

Thousands of children and young people are legally adopted in the UK annually. This study uncovers hidden poverty experienced by adoptive families, spanning into adulthood. The project addresses barriers to financial stability including shame, inability to work, and lack of awareness about eligibility for benefits and financial support.

Download the full report - The Hidden Burden of Poverty Among Adoptive Families

Paying Our Way: Research Participation and Fair Pay

Newcastle University lists social justice among its ‘core values’. Research projects from many disciplines pursue this theme. But what does this mean for the community researchers and partners upon whom this social justice research depends? How are those community researchers reimbursed for giving their time? And how might research findings centre their perspectives?

Download the full report - Paying Our Way Research Participation and Fair Pay

Why Are People Facing Sanctions for University Credit?

The fear of sanctions is widespread. This project explored key reasons why people are sanctioned, such as travel costs, unreliable transport and inflexible appointments as well as possible solutions to overcome these barriers. Many claimants rely on public transport and support free or subsidised options. Further research is needed to address these issues and reduce sanction rates.

Download the full report - Why are people facing sanctions for Universal Credit

Legacy reports

Over the years we have funded numerous social justice projects that have developed relationships between the university and the VCSE sector and have worked to tackle key social justice issues.

Some examples of work supported by the Social Justice fund at Newcastle University include:

Just Transitions

Tyne and Wear Citizens partnered with Brett Cherry (Newcastle University) to explore the concept of ‘Just Transitions’ with the local communities of Blyth to address social, economic, and environmental injustices with community led solutions.

Research workshops were facilitated to examine challenges and opportunities in the area, and findings were presented at the Tyne and Wear delegates assembly in November 2023. Findings also influenced the North East Devolution Manifesto, rooting key manifesto priorities in community concerns.

Youth Engagement in a Child Poverty Strategy for the North East

The North East Child Poverty Commission (NECPC) is a regional cross-sector network of organisations that collectively believe ‘child poverty in the North East is not inevitable and ending it is worth working for, together’. The Commission is hosted by – but independent of – Newcastle University.

Over the course of a year, NECPC undertook qualitative and quantitative research across the region, starting with the question ‘what should a child poverty strategy for the North East look like?’ This included conversations with over 150 organisations from all sectors working throughout the region, parents/carers, and with young people themselves.

The final report, ‘No time to wait: an ambitious blueprint for tackling child poverty in the North East’ was published in February 2024 ahead of the two Mayoral combined authority elections that took place in the region in May 2024.

It made the case for taking a ‘public health approach’ to tackling child poverty in our region.

No Time to Wait report