"Collaboration is essential for research to be useful and responsive" - Yorkshire academics embracing cross-sector working

In this episode of "Gerrin' on wi' it," host Dr Andy Mycock speaks with Professor Joe Cook from the University of Hull about what makes collaboration work in research and community engagement.

Joe leads the Communities in their Places cross-cutting theme for the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP), working with local authorities, voluntary organisations, and residents across Yorkshire and the Humber. She discusses Hull's "flipped university" model that prioritises community needs, the art of listening over ivory tower thinking, and building trust by not overpromising.

Drawing on projects from Local Area Coordination to cost of living crisis research, Joe illustrates how participatory action research bridges gaps between stakeholders with competing pressures - and why the most powerful research reflects lived experiences and delivers tangible outcomes for real people, not just academic publications.

This episode was recorded on 16 December 2025. If you would like to get in touch, please contact [e-mail]. A transcript of this episode is available.

Acronyms explained:

1. Y-PERN – Yorkshire and Humber Policy and Engagement Network
2. UPEN – Universities Policy Engagement Network
3. UKRI – UK Research and Innovation
4. ESRC – Economic and Social Research Council
5. YPIP – Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership

Helpful links:

1. https://www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/lacnetwork/local-area-coordination/what-is-local-area-coordination/

About the speakers:

Dr Andy Mycock is a political scientist with extensive experience of academic public policy engagement. As Chief Policy Fellow for the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (www.y-pern.org.uk) he collaborates with a wide range of academic, government and non-government stakeholders across the region and UK and internationally. Andy is also Cross-Programme Lead for