CivicLAB Conference 2025

We are excited to announce our 5th Annual CivicLAB Conference, building on the success of our sold-out conferences in recent years. CivicLAB is based at the University of Derby, a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning and home to a fantastic selection of World Heritage Sites. It has been designed to support academics, creative and cultural industry professionals and freelance creatives to share their insights on research and practice through a place-based approach to knowledge generation.

Since our inception, we have co-created over 125 events, with more than 30 partners and over 14,500 participants. The CivicLAB conference is a flagship event, bringing together practise leaders, partners and local stakeholders to celebrate and discuss the sector-leading work CivicLAB is engaged in, and to discuss how research, partnership and civic engagement can create impact both locally and nationally.

This year, our conference will be chaired by Dr Cara Courage, a globally renowned placemaking leader, cultural and creative sector consultant-director and researcher and creative and organisational change agent, named in the top 10 of place-thinkers worldwide and a ‘strategy angel’ for the arts sector.

CivicLAB Conference, 2025 is proudly in partnership with Artcore and Socitm (Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation). 

Socitm work to maximise the effective use of technologies and data to deliver improved public services and outcomes. They support their members to develop professionally, share best practices, and provide resources that help organisations and improve social outcomes in the communities they serve. Socitm collaborate across the public and private sector to drive positive change and innovation.

Socitm - Why we’re partnering with CivicLAB

At Socitm, we believe in the importance of actively engaging with like-minded organisations to drive meaningful change. Our partnership with CivicLAB reflects our shared commitment to a place-based approach to improving outcomes for all. By collaborating with an institution like CivicLAB, we demonstrate how public sector organisations can benefit from innovative research, fresh insights, and a focus on delivering real public value. Together, we aim to support and inspire transformation that makes a tangible difference in the communities we serve.

Key information

The evening of 25 June, will be the conference opening event, in partnership with our long-term conference partner Artcore. CivicLAB is committed to supporting Derby and Derbyshire, our place, our people and our rich and diverse community. This event is a great opportunity to hear about the impact CivicLAB and our partners have created, to network with fellow conference attendees, and to engage with some of the fantastic arts and culture that Derby has to offer. You will also be able to connect with key dignitaries and our national civic stakeholders. Food and refreshments will be provided.

The main day of the conference will then take place on 26 June at the University of Derby. 

The conference focuses on understanding the changing nature of communities, sustaining and enhancing life through inclusive connected practices, research, teaching and learning.

As communities change to adapt to both local and national issues, people are increasingly looking to universities as civic institutions to help them learn about and navigate these problems. But for real impact to be created, this needs to be conducted in a people and place-centred way. As a Civic University, we are committed to supporting Derby and Derbyshire by enacting and enabling imaginative communities to flourish and support creative cultural ecosystems and strategies to grow.

CivicLAB are proud to be leading the way on this, with our range of events, workshops and projects showcasing how research and learning can enhance the lives of those around us, with civic engagement being the vehicle that delivers tangible impact. Since our inception in 2020, CivicLAB has grown exponentially, enabling us to work with over 30 collaborators in Derbyshire and beyond to create impact on a national scale.

We have also been able to lead innovative research projects, bringing over £2.4 million to the region through funding bids. We are passionate that our work does not end with the closing of a project and have been working to influence policy through the incredible research we have been a part of. This conference will be an opportunity for people to learn more about this approach and to dive into meaningful conversation on all things civic.

Conference dates

• 25 June – Conference Opening Event (Artcore Gallery) 
• 26th June – Conference full day (University of Derby, Kedleston Road, OL2)  

Venue capacities

• Artcore - 100 capacity
• University of Derby - 150 capacity

Book your place

Agenda

Call for abstracts

The conference programme committee's call for abstract submissions is now closed. To present your research at the conference your abstract must first pass a double-blind peer review. 

• Abstract submission deadline: 21 March 2025
• Results of abstract review returned to authors: 2 April 2025
• Full conference proceedings published: 24 June 2025 

Conference Organising Committee

• Callum Bate, Civic Operations Officer
• Jordan Carr, Civic Coordinator
• Dr Rhiannon Jones, Associate Professor Civic Practice. CivicLAB Lead, Head of Civic and Communities
• Professor Ian Whitehead, Head of PIER and Chair of Civic Operations Board