PLACELAB4 2025
A MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE
PlaceLAB 4 wasn’t just another community meeting; it was a moment of transformation. The energy in the room was electric, driven by a shared belief that Scunthorpe’s future can and should be shaped by all of us.
PLACELAB4 2025
WHAT's ON THE AGENDA?
What made this event stand out was a subtle but powerful shift in mindset. Attendees weren’t asking what others should do — they were asking what they could do. This sense of personal agency is the foundation of community-led change.
The conversations were practical, hopeful, and rooted in a deep love for our town. People discussed how to build momentum, how to support each other, and how to turn ideas into action. There was a growing recognition that Scunthorpe’s strength lies in its people — our resilience, creativity, and willingness to collaborate.
This is what community power looks like: not waiting for permission but stepping forward with purpose.
Education at the Heart of Growth
Education emerged as a central pillar for Scunthorpe. The panel, led by Rob Allen, featured thought-provoking contributions from Gordon Dougan (Professor at the University of Cambridge) and students and staff from University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL).
The theme was clear: Why not here? Why shouldn’t Scunthorpe be a centre for learning?
innovation, and opportunity?
UCNL was celebrated as a world-class institution with the potential to anchor the town’s
future.
Its facilities, staff, and students are already making an impact — and the challenge now is to elevate its role even further. Ideas included:
- Creating a centre for data and informatics, where people of all ages can learn how to harness data to solve real-world problems.
- Building a pipeline of apprenticeships and skills development, connecting education directly to local industry and community needs.
- Encouraging student-led innovation, recognising that learners are not just recipients of knowledge but active contributors to the town’s future