Civic hub

Welcome to our Civic Hub!

This is the one-stop shop for all things Civic and the best place to find out about all the fantastic projects and initiatives we're involved in.

Civic success

University of Derby: A Civic University

View University of Derby: A Civic University video transcript

Top20in the UK for teaching quality The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Top25in the UK for overall student satisfactionComplete University Guide 2025
Top15UK universityUni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
£1.2mfor supporting local businesses
£10mlevelling up funding secured for Derby Theatre
£1mcreative people and places projectled by Civic

Civic pride

Here you can read our Civic University Agreement, follow our Civic news, find out about important research that's underway, and read about the real difference this is all making to local communities and individuals. 

We are delighted to be a Civic University and proud of the positive impact we are making across the city and county. We are also thankful for all of the support we receive from stakeholders, partners and the signatories of the Civic University Agreement, who are all working hard to make Derby and Derbyshire the best places to live, work and study. 

Recent projects you can learn about on this page include our Creative Engineering Summer School in partnership with UK New Artists; touring our Civic Curiosity E-Bikes™ at Timber Festival; our newly-launched Civic Community Fund; our creative people and places project with Make/Shift; the Create Growth Programme; our branch of the National Saturday Club and the fourth annual CivicLAB Conference.

The physical shed which held the S.H.E.D events for Civic

S.H.E.D™

S.H.E.D™ is a research and innovation space that engages with lifelong learning and teaching through creative industry and cultural practice. S.H.E.D™ can adapt to multiple possible configurations, all co-designed - it can be what you want it to be.

Explore the S.H.E.D™Explore the S.H.E.D™

Members of Civic gathered around the Civic Curiosity E-Bikes

Civic Curiosity E-Bikes™

Each of these e-cargo bikes features a compact wooden cabinet which can be unfolded to reveal compartments containing curious artefacts, for engaging the public in a mobile and fun way.

Find out more about the bikesFind out more about the bikes

Globe iconWe have launched a Civic Community Fund to support local grassroots projects across Derby and Derbyshire, with grants of up to £1,000.Find out more about funding opportunitiesFind out more about funding opportunities

Our Civic Goals

The five goals set out within the Civic University Agreement have been developed in direct response to both the challenges and opportunities facing Derby, Derbyshire and the communities within it. They are designed to make a long-lasting positive impact on the city and county, bringing benefits to many.

Our accreditations

Public engagement is core to our civic activity. Across various regional projects and activities, the University welcomes members of the public to get involved as participants, co-researchers, and audiences, contributing to the cultural, social, and economic vibrancy of our region. 

We have received a number of accreditations for our Civic work, including being awarded a Bronze Engagement Watermark from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), joining UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities, becoming a 2* Fairtrade University and being a Responsible Futures accredited institution. 

1st University of the YearUK Social Mobility Awards 2020
1st Higher Education Institution of the Year2020 NEON Awards
1st Social and Community ImpactGuardian University Awards 2020

Our latest civic news

A group of young people with certificates are smiling

Budding engineers, software designers and artists showed off their creations after taking part in a week-long programme hosted by the University of Derby, its spin-out company S.H.E.D and creative arts charity UK New Artists (UKNA).

Members of the Civic team and UEB standing around a bike with Civic Curiosity Bikes written on it

The University of Derby and Derby City Council have collaborated on an innovative community engagement project designed to engage young people and those from marginalised groups in art and research.

Students writing on a large board at Somerset House

Talented young people from across the city and county have been showing off their artwork at a national exhibition in London. 

Two people sitting and talking, one holding a microphone

Breakdancer Kid Karam has delivered a special masterclass at the city’s Saturday Club, run by the University of Derby.

The University of Derby's Kedleston road site, featuring The Future is You messaging

A new fund to support local groups, organisations and individuals is now open. The University of Derby is inviting applications from anyone in Derbyshire who is seeking funding and would like to work in partnership with the University to bring their ideas to life. 

Read all our civic news
a group of people sitting around a table, talking

Our civic and public engagement team

You can contact us for advice, or to find out more about how to get involved or to support our work. We also support business development and training and offer a wide range of opportunities.

Meet our civic and public engagement teamMeet our civic and public engagement team

Civic University Agreement signatories

We are delighted to be working in partnership with these signatories to deliver on the ambitions set out in the Civic University Agreement.  

Each signatory plays a key role in securing a sustainable and prosperous future for our city, county and people within it.

Our signatories

If you would like to find out more about the University and its Civic University Agreement, please do get in touch. You can contact us at civic@derby.ac.uk and follow our Civic team on Twitter @Derby_Civic.