In the latest National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) report the Undisciplined Spaces programme, co-produced by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and The Young Foundation, was selected as one of its five case studies.
In the report, 'Meaningful Engagement Between Students and Local Communities' from the NCIA, the Undisciplined Spaces programme was selected as one of five case studies from across the country highlighting best practice in student and local community engagement within universities.
The programme, initially funded by the AHRC Impact Acceleration Account to run between 2022-2025, is co-led by Dr Emma Libonati, Senior Engagement Officer in the Impact & Knowledge Exchange Team in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.
I am thrilled to see this project recognised as leading the sector in how to bring together postgraduate research students with local communities in ways that are mutually enriching. Undisciplined Spaces brings together two of the central aims of our AHRC Impact Acceleration Account and of Arts & Humanities at King's: to equip students with the skills and experience they need to thrive beyond the university, and to collaborate with local London communities that are often under-served by universities.
Dr Elizabeth Scott-Baumann, Vice Dean (Research - Interim) & Pro-Vice Dean (Research Impact & Knowledge Exchange), Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Over the past three years, scores of Arts & Humanities PhD students have volunteered through Undisciplined Spaces to collaborate alongside local community partners on the design and delivery of community engagement projects rooted in research insights. Students have worked with those community partners commonly underserved by universities and in so doing, have generated positive social change whilst simultaneously developing their identities as engaged academics.
Dr Ed Stevens, Senior Impact & Knowledge Exchange Manager, Faculty of Arts & Humanities
'Academia on the one hand, and on the other hand something that serves communities'
Undisciplined Spaces is open to postgraduate research students at King's from a range of disciplines. Participants on the programme attend workshops where they are trained and mentored in community engagement by experts from The Young Foundation, from King's, and from local community partners. Following this, students then collaborate with community partners to coproduce research-informed community engagement projects.
A range of projects from Undisciplined Spaces are referenced in the report, from the three years of the programme so far, including:
AI artwork sessions and exhibitions designed with mental health charities, Arts Network and Rethink Mental Illness.
A workshop, musical and culinary experience called the Diasporic Syrian Heritage, co-designed with Hikayetna, a non-profit dedicated at unifying the Syrian community through the arts and culture.
An exhibition with Decrim Now, an advocacy group of sex workers and allies who campaign for full decriminalisation of sex work.
A photographic workshop collaboration between the Da'aro Youth Project and the South London Refugee Association. Community-led organisations that provide support and advice services to young refugees and asylum seekers.
Researchers and community partners engaged in Undisciplined Spaces were invited to give anonymised feedback on their experiences with the programme for the report.
"It seemed like an opportunity for me to do something that combines the two aspects of my work life, which is academia on the one hand, and on the other hand something that serves communities" - King's researcher
"These are things that are obviously beyond the remit of what we can provide in our everyday kind of like service. So just to have that was really brilliant and it felt like a real treat" - Undisciplined Spaces community partner
"I think it was a friendship and also that we could show up for each other. And I think that is part of what community is like. We're not just going to, like, do a project and leave, like we have actually built extended connections" - King's researcher
"It's really nice working with university students that have come with so many interesting ideas and backgrounds" - Undisciplined Spaces community partner
"I think it was also a community thing of like getting to know more people at the university, PhDs can be quite isolating. So that was definitely an important aspect of it too" - King's researcher
"It didn't feel like it was part of their curriculum, like it didn't feel like they were doing it because they were obligated. They were doing it because they really cared" - Undisciplined Spaces community partner
"One of the members who was exhibiting artwork had like a little family reunion at the exhibition [...] And you could tell that she was really proud of the artwork that she made and some of her friends came as well. That was really nice. Just creating opportunities for people to be proud" - King's researcher
A continued Civic Impact
Following the success of the current Undisciplined Spaces programme, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities has released core funds to continue the programme in 2026. The programme will be widened to include PhD students from Courtauld Institute of Art, as part of the University's strategic relationship with The Courtauld.
I'm delighted to see this project will continue beyond its original three-year lifespan and the value that will bring to our researchers and local community partners as Undisciplined Spaces will be extended beyond our AHRC-funded project. Moreover, inspired by the programme, we are developing a core impact and engagement training programme for all PhD students in our new King's Doctoral School for the Arts & Humanities, ensuring every PhD student has the opportunity to develop skills in working with partners outside the university, equipping them for academic and non-academic careers in the 21st century.
Dr Elizabeth Scott-Baumann, Vice Dean (Research - Interim) & Pro-Vice Dean (Research Impact & Knowledge Exchange), Faculty of Arts & Humanities
To celebrate the achievements of the first three years of the programme, the Faculty and The Young Foundation are hosting a free event - Redefining roles: Building postgraduate capacity for community engagement - 9.30am to 3pm on Wednesday 14 January 2026 at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre.
