02.02.2026
Members of the Centre team, including our new researchers.Bringing the Team Together: Getting to Know Our New Researchers
Members of the Centre team, including our new researchers.Strengthening Our Team Through a Day of Shared Learning and Collaboration
On Monday 19th January, we were thrilled to welcome our new Centre team members to Sheffield Hallam University for our first in‑person gathering since completing the latest round of recruitment. The day brought together Research Fellows, Community Embedded Researchers, and Postgraduate Researchers, giving us the chance to strengthen our collaborative ways of working and explore how our network can support the Centre’s mission.
We began by hearing from our Community Embedded Researchers, who shared how they’ve been immersing themselves in their local community groups. They offered valuable history, context, and emerging insights from each area. It was inspiring to see the strong relationships already forming with our community catapult partners and to learn more about the work that has started.
As the day continued, we learned more about the work taking place within our implementation units and interdisciplinary research themes. We have some fantastic projects lined up, so it was a great opportunity to connect the dots and identify collaboration areas for our researchers to work together in supporting the Centre’s core goals.
We followed this with a short session on ways in which we can support the careers and personal development of our researchers. Our lead for researcher development, Professor Chris Dayson, encouraged our researchers to reflect on the skills they’d like to grow during their time with the Centre. The discussion sparked ideas about how we can better share expertise, support one another, and make the most of our collective strengths.
In the afternoon, our PhD students facilitated a reflective session focused on personal values and motivations for joining the Centre. It offered space for honest, energising conversation about the passions that drive our work and the hopes each person brings to their role.
“By taking this time to connect with the wider C4 team, I have developed a stronger sense of being part of a growing research community. It was a valuable opportunity to build relationships with people who share my values and research interests.”
Charlotte Hutton, PhD Student.
We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to the day and are already looking forward to the next opportunity to come together.
