RT Article
T1 Urban Multilingualism and the Civic University: A Dynamic, Non-Linear Model of Participatory Research
JF Social Inclusion
VO 5
IS 4
SP 5
OP 13
A1 Matras, Yaron 1963-
A1 Robertson, Alex
A2 Robertson, Alex
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1787934608
AB Drawing on the example of Multilingual Manchester, we show how a university research unit can support work toward a more inclusive society by raising awareness of language diversity and thereby helping to facilitate access to services, raise confidence among disadvantaged groups, sensitise young people to the challenges of diversity, and remove barriers. The setting (Manchester, UK) is one in which globalisation and increased mobility have created a diverse civic community; where austerity measures in the wake of the financial crisis a decade ago continue to put pressure on public services affecting the most vulnerable population sectors; and where higher education is embracing a neo-liberal agenda with growing emphasis on the economisation of research, commodification of teaching, and a need to demonstrate a ‘return on investment’ to clients and sponsors. Unexpectedly, perhaps, this environment creates favourable conditions for a model of participatory research that involves co-production with students and local stakeholders and seeks to shape public discourses around language diversity as a way of promoting values and strategies of inclusion.
K1 Manchester
K1 Language
K1 Multilingualism
K1 participatory research
K1 Social Responsibility
K1 University
DO 10.17645/si.v5i4.1137