The UK Town & Gown Association (UKTGA), working in collaboration with the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) and the Canadian Town and Gown Association (CTGA), has launched a landmark international research study to better understand the current state of town–gown practice. The study is examining how town–gown work is structured, resourced, and supported, and is identifying emerging challenges, opportunities, and skills needed for the future of the profession.

The State of the Town & Gown Profession Research Project 2025–26 is the first UK-wide and international benchmarking study examining how town–gown work is structured, resourced, and supported across:

• Universities
• Local and municipal authorities
• Community and voluntary organisations

The study spans the UK, US and Canada, helping to build a global picture of the profession.

What do we mean by Town & Gown?

Town and Gown refers to the relationship between a university (“gown”) and the surrounding local or municipal community (“town”). It is sometimes referred to as university-community partnerships, or community-engaged (scholarship) within institutions. It includes collaboration, engagement, and coordination on shared priorities, as well as managing neighbourhood issues in areas with high student populations—such as housing, student behaviour, noise, waste, safety, and parking.

About the Project

The purpose of this research is to understand the current state of town–gown relations across the sector, including how the field is structured, resourced, and supported, and the emerging challenges, opportunities, and skills needed for the future. The evidence gathered will help strengthen recognition of town–gown work as a professional field, support advocacy, inform professional development and training initiatives, and enable institutions to learn from effective national and international models.

Why this research matters

The findings will help to:

• Strengthen recognition of town–gown work as a professional field
• Support advocacy for better resourcing and institutional support
• Inform future professional development and training
• Share effective practice nationally and internationally

This is a key opportunity to build the evidence base for the profession.

Taking part

We thank all practitioners who took the time to answer the research survey and participate in focus groups. Results are currently being analysed and the full report of findings is set to be released in late summer/early autumn 2026.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact Amanda Jackson at a.m.jackson@leeds.ac.uk.