Society and communities
Translating psychological research into meaningful community engagement
Collaborative, community-driven research has the power to shift public conversations and inform real-world change. With support from the University of Nottingham’s Institute for Policy and Engagement, Dr Daniel Jolley, Assistant Professor in Social Psychology, has led two complementary projects that do just that, connecting psychological research with both policy and the public.
Collaborating for change: From conspiracy beliefs to community conversations
I have been fortunate to receive support from the Institute for Policy and Engagement to lead two distinct yet complementary projects that demonstrate the power of collaborating with diverse communities. Though different in focus and format, both initiatives aim to translate psychological research into real-world impact - whether through shaping policy or fostering public dialogue.
Exploring economic hardship, conspiracy beliefs, and violence
The first project emerged from a partnership with Social Justice Ireland, an independent think tank. Together, we explored the psychological links between economic hardship, conspiracy beliefs, and violence targeting non-European immigrants. As such attacks become more frequent across Europe, understanding the underlying drivers is increasingly urgent.
This was a fully collaborative process. We co-designed the research materials, interpreted the findings together, and jointly developed a policy paper. I was fortunate to visit Dublin, which helped strengthen and cement our working relationship. The policy paper argued that economic inequality not only causes material deprivation but also erodes social cohesion and political literacy. To address the symptoms - such as xenophobic violence - we need to confront these root causes. A number of policy recommendations were put forward to address this.
The research underpinning this work was recently published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. Across six studies using varied methods with over 3,600 participants from the UK and Ireland, we found consistent evidence that economic hardship and a sense of anomie are linked to anti-immigrant attitudes, with conspiracy beliefs playing a mediating role. This collaboration illustrates how academic research can directly inform policy conversations and public debate.
Bridging research and public engagement through the Notts Psych Pod
While this first project focused on a specific policy partner and a timely societal challenge, the second initiative took a broader approach to engagement. With the Institute’s continued support, I led the creation of Notts Psych Pod, a podcast from the School of Psychology designed to connect research with the wider public in an accessible, engaging way.
Our first series, released in June 2024, focused on neurodiversity. Each episode brought together academic researchers and individuals with lived experience, blending scientific insight with personal narrative. We aimed to move beyond traditional formats and create a dynamic, on-demand platform that speaks to a broad audience. Topics ranged from improving inclusivity for neurodivergent people in policing to the experiences of ADHD in adulthood, ensuring diverse representation across neurodiverse perspectives.
In addition to the podcast, we developed lay briefs translating each episode’s themes into actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. For instance, our policy brief accompanying Episode 3 - on the challenges autistic people face when learning to drive - offered clear, practical guidance for improving accessibility in driving instruction. These briefs extended the podcast’s impact by making research findings digestible and useful for a wide range of communities.
Now in its second series, Notts Psych Pod is showcasing research that engages with diverse communities - from menopause and child development to blood donation and psychosis. The aim is to spotlight the many ways psychology researchers work with communities, not just on them. Episodes are being released weekly throughout July and August 2025. You can follow the podcast to stay updated with new episodes.
Episodes from the podcast so far have reached nearly 500 unique listeners, and the accompanying briefs in Series 1 have been viewed over 1,000 times. Short videos accompanying each episode have also been shared on social media, with individual clips attracting thousands of views on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok
Lessons in collaboration and co-production
These two projects demonstrate the value of different models of engagement. One was rooted in a deep, sustained partnership with a policy organisation; the other leveraged digital media to reach broad and varied audiences. Both were made possible by the Institute’s support, which enabled us to think creatively about how to share our research and build meaningful connections beyond the university.
One key lesson from both projects is the value of co-production - whether in designing research with policy partners or sharing lived experiences through audio storytelling. These approaches make the work more relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.
Both projects also offered valuable opportunities to develop skills among early-career researchers. For example, a postdoctoral researcher employed on the Social Justice Ireland project gained hands-on experience working closely with a policy partner. In Notts Psych Pod, we employed students to produce and edit episodes. This was a fantastic experience for them and for me, and I’m delighted that two of them continue to contribute to Series 2.
Ultimately, these experiences have deepened my belief that collaborative, community-focused research leads to higher-quality outcomes and helps ensure our work has genuine, lasting impact. It is imperative that we move beyond the ivory tower of academia.
This article is part of a spotlight series developed by the Institute for Policy and Engagement, highlighting how we collaborate with researchers at the University of Nottingham to make research more relevant and accessible to the public.
Daniel Jolley
Dr Daniel Jolley is a social psychologist whose research focuses on the psychology of conspiracy theories. He investigates why these beliefs are so appealing to millions of people, explores their social consequences, and works to develop tools that help address their negative impact.
Acknowledgements:
These projects were collaborative efforts involving teams across academia and policy:
- Collaboration with Social Justice Ireland: Colette Bennett and Susanne Rogers (Social Justice Ireland), Dr Michael Hattersley (University of Nottingham), Dr Yvonne Skipper (University of Glasgow), and Professor Karen Douglas (University of Kent)
- Notts Psych Pod: Professor Nicola Pitchford, Dr Lauren Marsh, Rachel Grasmeder Allen (Producer), Grace Baranowski (Editor), and Florence Lesinski–Tubby (Editor)