Elizabeth Goodyear introduces the LPIP Hub’s new glossary as a vital step toward building a shared language that strengthens collaboration across diverse sectors in place-based policy innovation.
At the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Whether working with academic institutions, policymakers, community organisations, or other stakeholders, we face one common challenge: language. In the complex and dynamic world of place-based policy innovation, terms like “civic engagement,” “stakeholder mapping,” and “theory of change” can mean different things to different people.
This is where our new LPIP Glossary of Terms comes into play. Developed through careful consultation with partners and experts, this glossary is designed to break down communication barriers, provide clarity, and foster stronger collaboration.
Why a Glossary?
When working across diverse sectors and disciplines, miscommunication can slow down or even derail progress. Words that seem straightforward to one group can have completely different connotations to another. For example:
- Civic Engagement might be understood by policymakers as influencing public decision-making, while researchers may see it as a broader community well-being initiative.
- Action Learning Sets might be unfamiliar to those outside of professional development circles, despite their vital role in reflective practice.
By defining these and many other terms, we aim to create a shared understanding that enhances project planning, execution, and evaluation.
What’s in the Glossary?
Here are some highlights from the LPIP Hub’s glossary:
- Action Research: A participatory research approach combining action and reflection to address practical problems.
- Citizen Science Projects: Initiatives where the public actively participates in research by collecting, analysing, or interpreting data.
- Governance Structures: Frameworks that oversee and manage a research initiative or collaboration.
- Policy Briefs: Short, focused documents that present research findings in an accessible format for policymakers.
- Theory of Change: A planning tool that outlines the steps and rationale behind achieving a desired change.
The glossary covers over 50 key terms, from facilitation methods like Open Space Technology to partnership-building concepts such as Memorandum of Understanding. Each definition is crafted to be accessible and relevant to the LPIP Hub’s work.
Building Stronger Partnerships Through Understanding
Creating this glossary is more than a one-time effort. It’s a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. As the Hub engages with more stakeholders across regions and disciplines, the glossary will evolve to reflect emerging practices and insights. This living document will serve as a foundational tool for both current and future collaborations.
The Glossary
| Term | Definition |
| Action Learning Sets | Groups of individuals who meet regularly to reflect on real challenges, support each other, and take action to improve their practices. |
| Action Research | A participatory research approach combining action and reflection to address practical problems. |
| Advisory Boards | Panels of experts and stakeholders assembled to provide strategic guidance for research projects. |
| Benchmarking | Frameworks for overseeing and managing a research initiative or collaboration. |
| Bootcamps | Short, intensive training programs aimed at building specific skills. |
| Case Studies | In-depth explorations of specific instances or projects to draw insights. |
| Citizen Science Projects | Research initiatives involving public participation in collecting, analysing, or interpreting data. |
| Civic | Relating to the responsibilities and activities of individuals in public life and governance. |
| Civic Engagement | Active participation in efforts to improve community well-being or influence decision-making. |
| Civic Science | A collaborative research approach involving citizens, policymakers, and stakeholders. |
| Civil | Pertaining to individuals and organisations within society that are not part of government or private business. |
| Civil Society | The collective of organisations and institutions promoting social interests, such as NGOs and charities. |
| Collaborative Platforms | Digital tools or environments that support teamwork and communication among partners. |
| Communities of Practice | Groups of people sharing common interests and collaborating to build expertise. |
| Community | A group of people bound together by shared geography, interests, values, or goals. |
| Community Engagement Activities | Workshops, events, or consultations designed to involve community members in research. |
| Community-Based Research | A collaborative research approach where community members are active participants. |
| Crowdsourcing | Gathering ideas, data, or solutions from a large group, often via digital platforms. |
| Data Sharing Agreements | Formal documents outlining data-sharing terms between parties. |
| Dialogues and Deliberations | Facilitated discussions to gather input, build consensus, or explore perspectives. |
| Dissemination | Sharing research findings with target audiences, including peers, policymakers, and the public. |
| Ethics Committees | Groups ensuring research is conducted ethically and adheres to professional standards. |
| Evaluation Frameworks | Structured methods to assess program effectiveness and impact. |
| Exhibitions and Pop-ups | Interactive displays showcasing research findings to engage audiences. |
| Focus Groups | Guided discussions with a small group to gain insights into their perspectives. |
| Governance Structures | Frameworks overseeing and managing a research initiative or collaboration. |
| Hackathons | Frameworks are visually representing relationships between resources and outcomes. |
| Knowledge Cafes | Informal gatherings fostering open conversations and idea-sharing on a topic. |
| Knowledge Exchange | Activities facilitating knowledge transfer and co-creation between researchers and partners. |
| Knowledge Mobilization | Connecting researchers and users to ensure findings inform decisions and practices. |
| Logic Models | Formal agreements outlining collaboration terms that are not legally binding. |
| Memorandum of Understanding | A facilitation method that allows participants to set discussion agendas. |
| Multidisciplinary Research | Research integrating knowledge from different disciplines to address shared problems. |
| Open Space Technology | A potential alternative job title emphasising partnerships and place-based collaborations. |
| Peer Review Panels | Groups of experts evaluate the quality and rigour of research proposals or outputs. |
| Pillar 2 Coordinator | A potential alternative to ‘Programme Manager’ that reflects a coordination focus. |
| Place and Partnerships Coordinator | A potential alternative job title emphasising collaboration across regions and nations. |
| Podcasts | Digital audio recordings covering specific topics, often in series. |
| Policy Briefs | Short, focused documents presenting research findings to policymakers. |
| Public Lectures | Open presentations where researchers share insights with the public. |
| Regional Collaboration Lead | Facilitated discussions, sharing perspectives and co-developing solutions. |
| Research Collaboratives | Structured partnerships sharing resources and expertise for shared research goals. |
| Research Impact | The demonstrable contribution of research to society, the economy, or the environment. |
| Roundtables | Facilitated discussions sharing perspectives and co-developing solutions. |
| Sandpits | Intensive workshops encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. |
| Social Media Campaigns | Coordinated efforts using social media to share findings or promote events. |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Actively involving stakeholders to shape research and ensure mutual benefit. |
| Stakeholder Mapping | Identifying and prioritising individuals or groups for effective engagement. |
| Storytelling Workshops | Using narratives to share experiences, explain topics, or highlight impact. |
| Strategic Delivery Lead | A potential alternative job title focusing on strategic delivery within a research pillar. |
| Task and Finish Groups | Organisations generating research and ideas to influence policy. |
| Theory of Change | A planning methodology outlining how and why a desired change is expected to happen. |
| Think Tanks | Organizations generating research and ideas to influence policy. |
| Training Workshops | Interactive sessions building skills or knowledge in a specific area. |
| Webinars | Online seminars featuring experts and interactive Q&A sessions. |
| Working Groups | Teams formed to address specific issues, often with defined deliverables. |
This blog was written by Elizabeth Goodyear, Programme Manager at City-REDI, University of Birmingham.
Find out more about the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the authors and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.