Durham University

A child with long hair looks at an exhibition in a window

Street Cosmos

With funding from the Digital Innovation and Engagement Fund (DIEF) in 2021, Durham University launched its highly successful Street Museum, which transformed the streets of low engagement neighbourhoods in County Durham into museums.

Involvement in Mindsets + Missions has secured the next step in this highly innovative and inclusive project in the form of Street Cosmos. The team, together with partners East Durham Creates and Blackhall Community Centre, aims to connect underrepresented communities across County Durham with the world-changing advances in space science research from Durham University’s Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics though a creative programme of co-produced community events.

Being part of Missions + Mindsets has really pushed us to further dissolve barriers between our labs and communities, bringing world-class research and innovation into the heart of our local so-called ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods. The project will provide a community-led approach to discovering the most equitable practices when it comes to enhancing engagement and providing opportunities for two-way learning from underserved communities and science teams.

Ged Matthews, senior manager: cultural engagement, Durham University

DIEF supported UK museums and science centres in delivering on innovations designed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find out more about Street Museum and the other projects on the DIEF page.