Our values and co-production

MUARG is driven by a commitment to create inclusive, sustainable, and supportive urban environments for people as they age, with a particular focus on those living in low-income areas and from minoritised communities.

Infographic of the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group Vision Workshop showing values, motivations, and practices like curiosity, inclusion, and community research.

Our values

We are a community-focused, interdisciplinary group dedicated to improving cities through collaborative research and international partnerships.

Guided by principles of social justice, diversity, and inclusivity, we work closely in partnership with diverse groups of older people and communities as active participants in our research. Our work challenges structural inequalities and promotes wellbeing across the life course.

Accountability, participation, openness, and honesty are at the heart of our approach, as we seek to understand different perspectives and build meaningful, long-term community partnerships. 

Our reputation as a Centre of Excellence is grounded in a supportive research culture that stimulates curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking. We view cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral dialogue as a vital source of insight and learning, and we are committed to integrating diverse perspectives across ages, sectors, and backgrounds in all aspects of our work.


Our co-production

A group of people from the MUARG Older People's Forum.

At the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG), co-production is at the heart of how we work. 

We are committed to embedding co-productive principles across all our research activities, ensuring that older people and communities are not only participants, but equal partners in the research process. We collaborate closely with older people, community organisations, policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders to shape the direction, design and outcomes of our research. 

Co-production is vital to our approach because it promotes inclusivity, builds trust, empowers communities, and leads to more relevant and impactful research outcomes. By working together, we can better understand and respond to the diverse challenges of ageing in urban environments and support the development of more equitable age-friendly communities. 

Our co-production process includes: 

  • Engaging older people and community members as co-researchers and co-investigators.
  • Facilitating participatory and knowledge exchange workshops and focus groups to gather generate shared insights and co-create solutions.
  • Building interdisciplinary research teams that integrate lived experience with diverse perspectives and expertise. academic, policy and practice-based expertise. 

The MUARG Older People's Forum is a vital component of our commitment to co-production. This forum brings together a diverse group of older people from across Greater Manchester, representing a range of ethnic and social backgrounds. By engaging with people who have lived experiences of urban ageing, the forum provides a platform for sharing views and increasing mutual understanding of the evolving needs and challenges faced by older communities.

Members of the forum work collaboratively with MUARG researchers to critically reflect on our activities, ensuring that our research remains relevant and impactful. The insights gained from these discussions help shape the direction of our projects and contribute to the development of new knowledge in the field of urban ageing. We are grateful to the members of our forum for their invaluable contributions and look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership.