University Navigator
Helping improve how universities connect with local communities
Welcome to our University Navigator
The University Navigator is a place for collaboration, where community groups and University staff can connect, share expertise and work together on meaningful projects.
Whether you’re looking to access University resources, explore partnership opportunities or bring a new idea to life, the Navigator is here to help you.
Whether you’re looking to access University resources, explore partnership opportunities or bring a new idea to life, the Navigator is here to help you.
As a community we can discover together, work together and be together
Get in touch
Contact our Community Engagement Officer, Matt Grant, to discuss how we can support your community projects or explore ways to collaborate with the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
Discover together – connect with academics and research opportunities
The University is committed to engaging and involving the community through opportunities to connect with researchers, collaborate on projects and learn together. Whether you’re contributing to research or bringing new ideas to life, there’s something for everyone.
The University Navigator is a result of the
National Civic Impact Accelerator project.
Explore opportunities for the local community and University academics to connect and collaborate on research projects. Search the Research Portal and find support for working and learning together or ask a question on our interactive noticeboard.
The Get Involved Awards support community groups, charities, social enterprises and University staff or students to work together on projects that address challenges across Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», Devon and Cornwall. It’s an opportunity to build partnerships, explore community-driven questions and create research that makes a genuine difference.
Here you can find some of the ways our researchers have worked to engaged with the public, share specific research findings and help the public to benefit from the research being done at the University.
Research Making a Difference in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» City Council and the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» have secured £4.7 million to tackle health inequalities in the city. This funding supports research into how social factors – like housing, jobs and community support – affect people’s health, ensuring local decisions are based on real evidence.
A research team is working directly within the council, alongside community groups, the NHS and businesses, to find practical solutions that improve lives. This is a great example of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s organisations coming together to create lasting, positive change.
Work together – placements, internships and specialist support
Sharing skills in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
The University is home to talented students and staff who can bring fresh ideas and skills to your projects. Whether you’re looking for interns, volunteers, or new team members, we can help you connect with the right people to support your work.
Our dedicated Employer Engagement team works with organisations to support recruitment, internships and placements. Whether you're looking to find the right candidates or raise your profile on campus, we can help you connect with talented students.
You can connect with our growing pool of new, developing, and established student and graduate freelancers. All our freelancers are prepared and accessible to take on your projects whenever you require, with no agency fees.
Looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support your projects? The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Students’ Union connects community groups with students keen to get involved.
The Law Clinic offers real advice and assistance to clients in the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» community, across a range of legal areas.
The Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) provides a wide range of eyecare services to the community, including eye examinations, spectacle dispensing, contact lens fittings, and specialist clinics for children, individuals with visual impairments and those with specific eye conditions.
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise runs Dental Education Facilities in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», Truro and Exeter, where students from the University studying for a career in dental health (as a dentist, nurse, hygienist or therapist) treat NHS patients under the supervision of qualified and experience dental health professionals.
Be together – events, spaces and resources open to all
Open and welcoming
The University is part of the city and our campus is open to everyone. Whether you're stopping by for a coffee at one of our cafes, attending a public event or exploring ways to use our spaces for your community activities, you’re always welcome. We invite you to be part of our campus, connect with others and make the most of what’s on offer.
From experts sharing their latest research to films, performances and family festivals, our exciting and varied events are open to all members of our communities. We welcome students, staff, alumni and the wider community to get involved.
Our cafes serve locally sourced, Fairtrade and sustainable food, welcoming staff, students and the wider community. With ten locations across campus, you can enjoy fresh, seasonal meals, barista coffee, and a range of vegetarian and vegan options.
The University offers a range of event spaces for hire, whether you're planning a conference, meeting, workshop or community gathering. Free room hire for non-profit community groups is available for those who meet the criteria.
Local News
- Government minister pays tribute to new city centre dental practice 30 June 2026
- Pirate myths and realities – what do we actually know? 7 May 2026
- Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s anchor institutions unite to support parents with new online resource 17 February 2026
- New city centre dental clinic welcomes its first patients 9 February 2026
- University and Babcock to drive skills development and economic growth 19 January 2026
More about the Navigator
The University has been supported by the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) to transform how we connect with our local community.
Here in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», we’ve developed this digital University Navigator: a space designed to help local groups access University resources, collaborate on research and engage in training or student-led projects.
To ensure the Navigator reflects real community needs, we gathered ideas and priorities directly from local representatives through workshops and feedback. These insights have shaped the platform into a valuable resource for strengthening partnerships between the University and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s vibrant community.
The University Navigator is a result of the
National Civic Impact Accelerator project.
Find this University Navigator helpful? You could develop a Navigator for your own university:
Download our practical guide to connect communities with universities