Civic Hub

Civic pride

Here you can read our Civic University Agreement, follow our Civic news, find out about important research that's underway, and read about the real difference this is all making to local communities and individuals.

We are delighted to be a Civic University and proud of the positive impact we are making across the city and county. We are also thankful for all of the support we receive from stakeholders, partners and the signatories of the Civic University Agreement, who are all working hard to make Derby and Derbyshire the best places to live, work and study.

The main image on this page, by Grant Archer, shows our Over to You project. This project places community voice at the heart of arts and culture in Derby. It is produced by Derby CAN (Creative Arts Network), part of the University-owned Derby Theatre. And, in September 2022, Over to You brought together communities, artists and a circus tent in Markeaton Park to celebrate the city of Derby, local people and performance.

Our Civic work

As a Civic University we are involved in a wide range of projects and initiatives that are making a real difference to local communities and individuals – opening doors to opportunities, raising aspirations and helping to transform lives.

The five goals set out within the Civic University Agreement have been developed in direct response to both the challenges and opportunities facing Derby, Derbyshire and the communities within it. They are designed to make a long-lasting positive impact on the city and county, bringing benefits to many.

Goal 1: Securing our future

This goal is focused on driving forward the city and county's strategic growth and helping to realise its development ambitions. By working together and using our collective knowledge, expertise and influence we can demonstrate how we can deliver on the government's levelling-up agenda to attract investment, retain talent within the region and address the skills gap.

a modern, low building of metal and glass with a futuristic spire outside the entrance

Nuclear Skills Academy apprenticeships

In September 2022, Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd opened the doors to a new Nuclear Skills Academy, with 200 new apprenticeships embarking on a career in the nuclear industry.

A sunny day in Derby city centre with buildings and trees lining the river and a blue sky overhead

Derby joins UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

Derby has become one of just two UK cities to be accepted as members of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in the latest round of applications.

trees and bushes and a converted brick-built former mill building with multiple storeys

University of Derby and its Union of Students win award

The University of Derby and its Union of Students have been awarded the Responsible Futures accreditation delivered by SOS-UK.

two modern multi-storey buildings with blue sky in between them

Growing Innovation and Business

We are a university of and for business. We use our research, knowledge, talent and facilities to help companies grow and innovate. We work with organisations of all shapes and sizes.

A prospective student reading a prospectus with a family member in the cafe.

Widening Access Annual Report 21/22

The University’s Widening Access Team supports the achievement of the University’s civic and social mobility ambitions through the creation and delivery of a number of significant outreach...

Goal 2: Driving ambition and positive change

This goal is focused on improving the attainment and education of young people, raising aspirations and ensuring those who want to learn are enabled to do so.

We aim to make a positive impact on society by creating opportunities and supporting the ambitions of our local communities, celebrating diversity, recognising and responding to the challenges individuals face, and sharing best practice across organisations so that collectively we can enhance the city and county's workforce.

A crowd of people watching a street theatre performance

Derby hosts first Global Learning Festival event

Derby has been included in UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in recognition of its outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality in the city.

Students, teachers and university staff celebrating on the steps outside Littleover Community School main entrance

Bold new artwork unveiled following University and local school collaboration

A new mural artwork at Littleover Community School in Derby has been unveiled following a project involving the school and the University of Derby.

teachers in University of Derby t-shirts teaching a class of pupils in a classroom with walls of corrugated material

University of Derby helps fund school Kenya trip

Local teachers from Alvaston Infant and Nursery School were given the opportunity to visit Africa to learn about different educational approaches, thanks to sponsorship from the University of Derby.

Apprenticeships

Our apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with academic learning to produce capable and competent employees.

Union of Students at the University of Derby

The Union is run completely by students. It is independent from the University though we work closely together.

Goal 3: Making a positive environmental impact

This goal is focused on helping businesses to incorporate green practices into their operations, supporting the city and county's broader environmental and sustainability ambitions.

We are also working to create a more sustainable transport infrastructure to bring wider benefits to the community, reduce any negative impacts of tourism on the natural, cultural and social environment, and increase biodiversity across the University estate, Derby and Derbyshire.

town with environmentally friendly energy sources

Strategies to support a greener economy

With the low carbon economy critical to UK business growth, researchers from the Derby Business School at the University of Derby have pioneered effective strategies to support more firms to incorpora...

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and University of Derby team up to make more room for nature

We have agreed a series of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to combine the skills and know-how needed to put the trust at the forefront of ecosystem services provision.

A CGI image of the new East Midlands Institute of Technology, a modern, stylish building with large windows

Institute of Technology to lead digital and green revolution

The Government has given the green light for a new £13m East Midlands Institute of Technology (IoT).

a gnarled, dried old tree stump surrounded by younger, verdant trees full of green leaves

Help uncover the wonder of trees with Treefest

In partnership with Go Jauntly, National Forest and UK Treescapes, we have launched a research study which aims to break new ground in understanding how the UK’s treescapes can benefit wellbeing.

Goal 4: Supporting health and wellbeing

This role is focused on leveraging the significant research and practitioner expertise we have at the University to bring benefits to local stakeholder groups and communities, supporting and responding to their needs.

We will work to create a highly skilled health and social care workforce that is fit for today and prepared for the future and influence policy, regulation and practice at a regional and national level.

Two people talking in a room. One has a notepad.

Delivering mental health support to local businesses

The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot aims to reduce mental health related absence, presenteeism, and the stigma associated with mental health in the workplace.

University of Derby Nursing students win global award

Two Children's Nursing students have won the Zenith Global Healthcare Rising Star award, along with other team members, for their work in curating the Children and Young People Student Nurse Network.

Shedding Light on Long Covid Project

This project is an agent to drive positive societal change, increase civic impact, and connect universities, stakeholders and communities together.

Goal 5: Investing in culture as a driver for change

This goal is focused on supporting the sustainability of the city and county's arts and cultural organisations.

We will champion the arts as a driver for excellence within education and for positive change within communities, and will increase the present of student practice within the city and county, helping to grow the creative and cultural ecology.

grassed areas lead up to glass-fronted multi-storey buildings with a blue sky overhead

Social prescribing research project secures funding

A research project that aims to increase diversity in cultural and natural social prescribing programmes through shared training has been awarded £74,656 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

a crowd of smiling young people, some bolding up banners about issues that affect them

National Saturday Club

We are part of the National Saturday Club network for 13-16-year-olds, a free-to-attend club where youngsters can learn new skills, discover talents and meet new people.

Derby Creative Arts Network

Derby CAN (Derby Creative Arts Network) is a project where organisations create theatre and live events in partnership with people who live in Derby and the surrounding areas.

Gaia exhibition

The University was the headline sponsor for Gaia, a stunning artwork installation on display at Derby Cathedral.

a child attaches a plant to an outdoor lattice frame

Creative People and Places Project: Make/Shift

Communities within Amber Valley are benefiting from a new programme of cultural activity after a consortium, led by the University of Derby, was awarded a grant of up to £826,000 for the project.

Our civic research

A student using Virtual Reality devices, with the headset on

CivicLAB

CivicLAB is a research group that looks at culture and creativity and their impact on society.

a journalist makes notes in a pad with newspapers laid out on a desk

Journalism as civic empowerment

Professor John Steel's inaugural lecture explores recent research which has sought to reinvigorate the promise of journalism and address its contemporary crisis of legitimacy.

How a humble garden shed is making a big impact in the community

Researchers at Derby have taken a humble garden shed and transformed it into S.H.E.D (Social Higher Education Depot), a creative, socially, and civically engaged touring arts programme.

Public Engagement

Public engagement is core to our civic activity. Across various projects and activities regionally, the University welcomes members of the public to get involved as participants, co-researchers and audiences, contributing to the cultural, social and economic vibrancy of our region.

In recognition of our excellence in public engagement, the University of Derby was awarded a Bronze National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) Watermark Award in 2022.

Our latest civic news

First East Midlands Institute of Technology site opens in Derby

A new state-of-the-art facility for computing students has opened at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre. The facility is the first site of the new East Midlands Institute of Technology (EM IoT) to open and will support teaching in a range of digital and engineering subjects, such as computer games animation, design engineering and mechatronics.

Posted: 19 September 2023

Exhibition and programme of events aim to shed light on long Covid

Scientists and arts researchers at the University of Derby have come together with artists and creatives from across the UK to develop Shedding Light on long Covid, a thought-provoking exhibition and programme of events to engage local communities in the latest long Covid research.

Posted: 14 September 2023

Littleover school pupils exhibit artwork at national festival

Over 300 Year 8 pupils from Littleover Community School worked with academics from the University of Derby to create artwork and designs that were exhibited with S.H.E.D at Timber Festival in the National Forest.

Posted: 20 July 2023

University of Derby extends strategic partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club

The University of Derby has agreed a three-year strategic partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which will continue to see students get the chance to develop within the world of professional sport.

Posted: 23 May 2023

A group of people sitting outside a shed

Local young people exhibit artwork at Derby County as part of national youth programme

Work created by dozens of Derby Saturday Club members – including poems, protest banners and hip hop raps - took centre stage for match day at Pride Park Stadium’s Community Corner on Saturday 22 April.

Posted: 26 April 2023

Read all our civic news

Civic University Agreement signatories

We are delighted to be working in partnership with these signatories to deliver on the ambitions set out in the Civic University Agreement.

Each signatory plays a key role in securing a sustainable and prosperous future for our city, county and people within it.

Our signatories

If you would like to find out more about the University and its Civic University Agreement, please do get in touch. You can contact us at civic@derby.ac.uk and follow our Civic team on Twitter @Derby_Civic.