Get Involved - LPIP Rural Wales

Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales is committed to inclusive and participatory research with communities in Rural Wales and to making connections between the expertise found in universities, in community projects, and beyond.

There are several ways to get involved:

Thematic Groups bring together academic and independent researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and individuals from businesses and communities who share expertise in a specific policy area concerning rural Wales. The Thematic Groups provide a forum for intelligence sharing and knowledge exchange between members, connecting practitioners and policy-makers responding to an emerging issue with relevant research and academic expertise. They also have an important role in shaping the work programme of Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales by identifying where there are gaps in the evidence, or where the latest available data is dated, and proposing topics for new research and analysis.

The members of the Thematic Groups are drawn from researchers based in Wales and/or working on rural Wales with expertise relevant to the Theme; representatives from public bodies, civil society organisations, and businesses operating in an area relevant to the Theme in rural Wales; and individuals and community representatives with specific interests or expertise relating to the Theme applicable to rural Wales. Thematic Group members are not paid and do not receive funding from the grant for their participation. However, discretionary equity payments of £50 per half-day (or part of) are available to compensate members whose time in attending meetings is not covered by their salary and who may not otherwise be able to participate.

Find out more about our Themes here [link to Themes page]. To express an interest in joining a Thematic Group contact lpip@aber.ac.uk

Our Community-led Action Research involves local residents as researchers, collecting and analysing data on a topic of local concern and thinking about how to use the evidence gathered to improve life in the community. If you live in one of our pilot community areas – Corwen, Dyfi Biosphere, Newtown, St Davids peninsula, or Trawsfynydd – contact lpip@aber.ac.uk to find out what is happening in your community and how you can get involved.

If you live elsewhere in Rural Wales, why not put together a bid to run a community-led action research project on an issue that matters in your community? Applications are open for bids to fund up to six projects with communities, with up to £25,000 each as well as support from an academic mentor and training in key skills. Find out more at https://www.tfc.cymru/

In 2026 we will be organising a series of four Dialogues involving stakeholders, community representatives, and members of the public in a ‘citizen’s assembly’ type model to work towards consensus solutions for ‘wicked issues’ for rural policy in Wales, informed by evidence collected in the LPIP work programme. More information on how to get involved will be published here in early 2026.

Collaborate with us: We are always open to talking to organisations in Rural Wales who are interested in working with us, for example, holding joint events or developing collaborative research ideas. Get in touch at lpip@aber.ac.uk to start a discussion.