You’ll be invited to our monthly Community of Practice meetings where we focus on a different theme each session. Past themes include policy impact and influence and setting intentions for community research. During these Community of Practices we aim to foster connections, build relationships and share opportunities, news and challenges.

You will also be invited to our online Conversation Station events where we hear firsthand from featured community researchers about their experiences and perspectives.

You’ll also receive the CKM monthly newsletter full of network updates, activities and opportunities. The newsletter also highlights news and resources from outside the network which may be of interest.

As a network member, you will be able to shape network priorities and projects, as well as gain primary information and access to CKM trainings and programming.

CKM has also hosted two in-person gatherings in 2024 and 2025 where peers from remote, rural and island communities in Scotland, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers.

The CKM network seeks to platform grassroots communities and organisations, though anyone is welcome to join including researchers who are keen to support more equitable processes and partnerships that centre communities through an ethics of care. Researchers do not need to be affiliated with an academic institutions and can be independent or peer researchers.

We also welcome practitioners and decision-makers interested in being more driven by community-led research and working together to support a more equitable and diverse system evidence-base.

Stakeholders from across Scotland and beyond interested in learning from this network and sharing your own experiences are also encouraged to join.

Membership of the CKM network is free! Access to CKM activities and events are free as well.

Community Lab is an online forum CKM network members use to share information about upcoming events and connect with other network members. Posts on this platform usually include opportunities to get involved in research, information about upcoming events and discussions about that month’s Community of Practice topic.

The CKM network is open to all! The network aims to platform remote, rural and island voices while welcoming members from Scotland and beyond.

The CKM network aims to be as accessible as possible. We operate upon a values framework developed by network members, including equity and inclusivity. We utilise tools such as the Jargon Jar to make potentially inaccessible language more accessible.

If there are ways we can support your involvement in the CKM network, including accommodations, do let us know!

Most network activities are online, so all you will need to join is wifi and a device. However, for our in-person activities, bursaries may be available to support travel and childcare.

Network activities are generally online, however we have had two in person CKM network gatherings in Inverness where network members and others interested in community-led research came together for a day of sharing and reflection. We hope to hold future in person events as well!

We encourage you to join as an individual, though you can indicate your organisation when you register, as well.

Independent, peer, and academic researchers are absolutely welcome to join the network!

The CKM network highlights living and lived experience so researchers interested in such approaches to research may find the network especially useful.

The network generally hosts one hour and a half long Community of Practice a month and Conversation Station events every couple of months. These events are completely optional and you are encouraged to show up as often as suits you.

Once you join, you will receive a welcome email with further information about the network.

You will also begin receiving invitations to network events, as well as the monthly CKM newsletter.

You will also be invited to join the network’s Community Lab online forum, where members can share call outs, events, and resources with others.

There is no experience necessary to be a part of the CKM network. If you have an interest in community-led research and projects, we encourage you to join!

The CKM network welcomes those who may be new to community-led research because we are a peer-learning space.