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In 2023, Dr Maria Rusca, Lecturer in Global Development, and her students at The University of Manchester participated in a project aimed at exposing students to citizen-led sustainable solutions for urban issues. 

In collaboration with , funding from the SEED Social Responsibility Catalyst Funds and local community groups, the initiative focused on fostering long-term community wellbeing and encouraging students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.

What was the motivation behind your project? 

[Rusca] The project was implemented in partnership with Community Led Action and Savings Support (CLASS), Aquarius Community Savers (Hulme tenants group), and the Miles Platting Community and Age-Friendly Network with the aim to provide students with firsthand insights into the strategies and practices of community activists who are fighting for more inclusive urban development in 91直播. 

This was achieved through a combined citizen-led lecture and field visit in Hulme and Miles Platting, areas where local communities are actively working to improve access to basic rights and services and are fighting against gentrification. 

The field trip offered an opportunity to explore citizen-led development and to compare these everyday practices of resistance with those of urban dwellers in the global South, focusing on how, why, and by whom certain development pathways are contested and resisted. 

Additionally, the students were able to witness firsthand what co-producing knowledge means, both in research and in teaching. 

What does Social Responsibility mean to you in your teaching, research or working in SEED? 

[Rusca] In my teaching, fostering a sense of community in the classroom is a key goal. I believe that being part of and contributing to a community is essential to address contemporary developing challenges (and to be happy). Engaging students with the work of CLASS is a way to highlight the importance of building networks and community. I aim to show them the power of collaboration in creating more equitable urban environments. This approach not only deepens their understanding of social issues and the importance of citizen-led initiatives but also instils a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope. 

The field trip not only enriched students' educational experiences but also instilled a sense of belonging and hope for future engagement in their communities. Plans are underway to potentially continue this initiative next year, with a focus on further empowering students and fostering connections within urban settings.