Research image of the month: Beyond borders, community connection

This month’s (April 2025) research image of the month is from Dr Dan Taylor. Dan told us all about his vibrant research and how it is reflected in this colourful research image of the month picture. In Dan’s own words…

“When I set out to create the image, my goal was simple: to capture the vibrant, diverse spirit of the city [Peterborough] in a way that challenges the often-negative narratives around migration and belonging. The image, titled Beyond Borders: Sharing Stories of Peterborough, is a celebration of the city’s rich history of migration and the strength that comes from diversity.

“The image itself is a colourful, dynamic representation of Peterborough, blending historical landmarks with modern life. It was for a public event we held late last year where we invited people from across Peterborough to share their stories using poetry and artwork, in an evening of food and creativity. The image features the city’s famous cathedral but also everyday moments - people gathered over coffee, writing, conversing. The juxtaposition is intentional. Too often, the identity of a place is tied only to its past achievements, leaving out the people who make it vibrant today. I wanted to show Peterborough not just as a place with a medieval cathedral, but as a living, evolving community where people from all walks of life contribute to its present and future. This community is where my research is based.

“My research challenge focuses on community engagement and the political and social dynamics of migration. I’d like to bridge the gap between academia and the real-world experiences of marginalised communities, using research as a tool to empower and uplift. Over the past few years, I have worked on a few projects across the UK, partnering with community groups to highlight the challenges they face and the strengths they bring. Our event here was about creating spaces for storytelling, where people from different backgrounds could come together, share experiences, and recognise the common threads that connect them.

“My path to academia wasn’t traditional. I didn’t grow up expecting to work in a university. After completing my degree, I spent years working in frontline disability and mental health charities, witnessing firsthand the impact of austerity and policy decisions on vulnerable communities. Eventually, I pursued further study, looking to find a way to make political research more accessible and impactful rather than lost in an academic vacuum.

“Choosing this image was an instinctive decision. It encapsulates the warmth and resilience of people, reflecting my belief that diversity is not something to be feared but celebrated. The use of vibrant colours was deliberate - diversity is beautiful, and our connections to one another make our communities stronger. More than just a representation of my research, I wanted this image to be a tool for engagement. I printed it as a postcard and distributed it around the city, inviting people to a storytelling workshop. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees producing poetry and artwork that we later compiled into a published booklet. It looks beautiful - contact me if you would like one.

“The Open University’s mission is to be open to people, places, methods, and ideas. I’d like to think this work contributes to that. Given our open ethos, and the fact that as university educators, we are also public servants, it’s important for me that my research doesn’t just sit in a journal read by few, but connects with communities it represents. It also connects with the OU’s Open Societal Challenges platform – it is an ‘OSC’ – which focuses on tackling inequalities and building more sustainable, inclusive societies.

“Winning research image of the month is a nice surprise for me. Though if you look closely, you’ll see some generative AI telltale signs (look at the hands) - it's amazing and frightening what it can do. I wanted this postcard image to be something people could keep, place on their mantelpieces, fridges or desks - a visual reminder of their connection to a place and the strength found in that connection. What makes places special are the people within them, and the connections they form. Sometimes that’s political, sometimes it’s not – and it’s constantly changing, evolving. Go and take a look.”