QID: Living together, researching together

How do we communicate with each other as neighbors? What issues concern local residents? How can we strengthen social cohesion within our neighborhood? As part of the project Living Together, Researching Together, Communication students collaborate with residents of the city of Groningen, the Municipality of Groningen, and WIJ Groningen to conduct survey research in various neighborhoods of the city.

The aim of the research is to gain insight into the dynamics between neighborhood residents and the professionals who are closely involved in the area. It’s no coincidence that all stakeholders are actively involved in this research.

Project Setup

Approximately 100 second-year students from the Communication and Information Sciences (CIS) program conduct the research as part of the course Survey and Interview Design. They are guided by a research committee made up of all involved parties: residents, the municipality, students, lecturers, and the Science Shop for Language, Culture and Communication.

The project uses the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a foundation—a theory that focuses on the relationship between individual behavior and its social context. In other words, how does your environment influence your behavior, and vice versa?

The course runs throughout the first semester (September to February) and is worth 5 ECTS credits. Between 90 and 110 students—both Dutch and international—participate in the project.

This research has a strongly participatory character. This means that the process (students working in the neighborhood, conducting research for the neighborhood) is more important than the final product (the advisory report). Of course, the ideal outcome is when both process and product reinforce each other.

With this research, we aim to achieve the following goals:

• Initiate conversations about livability and social cohesion in the neighborhood

• Involve residents, the municipality, and students in scientific research and make them feel part of it

• Identify various target groups in the neighborhood and understand how they relate to one another

• Provide tailored advice to different stakeholders on how to promote social cohesion, specifically in terms of communication

• Raise awareness among residents and students about the challenges in the neighborhood and build support to address them collaboratively (promote active citizenship)

This project is now entering its third year. After studying noise nuisance in the Schildersbuurt and analyzing social cohesion in the Oranjewijk, the project will take place during the 2025–2026 academic year in the neighborhoods of Zeeheldenbuurt, Badstratenbuurt, and Laanhuizen. The most important information about this research, including the project brochures, is available on the results page of our website.

Would you like to know more about these projects (or join the research committee for a project in your neighborhood)? Feel free to check out our website or email us at wewi rug.nl.