Tiny Desk Researchers’ Corner Launch

Tiny Desk Researchers’ Corner – Redefining Research Spaces 

On 27th February, the Tiny Desk Researchers’ Corner was officially launched at University of Wolverhampton—exceeding expectations and marking a pivotal shift in how research communities are cultivated. 

For too long, academic spaces have been perceived as exclusionary. The library, often regarded as a colonised space, has traditionally been a site of individual study rather than collective engagement. Research, particularly at the Postgraduate Research level, has been associated with isolation, hierarchy, and barriers to inclusion. 

But on 27th February, that narrative changed. 

A Transformed Space 

🎤 Spoken word on community and belonging, delivered by Community of Practice Coordinator Kerensa Hodge. 
🎶 Live music from our very own Postgraduate Researcher Jay-Q. 
💻 PhD Researchers Jessie Allen and Melanie Law shared their research. 
🗣️ Keynote speeches from Dr Ada Adeghe and Prof.Suresh Renukappa. 

Meaningful conversations flourished between PhD researchers, professors, senior leadership—including Prof. Pillai Prashant, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Dr Ada Adeghe, Associate Dean (Inclusivity) —alongside the WLV Students' Union. These exchanges happened not in formal meetings, but in an environment that encouraged openness, shared knowledge, and belonging. 

A New Model for Research Communities 

The That’s Me Tiny Desk Researchers’ Corner was reimagined as a modern, flexible space—a place where research is not only discussed but experienced through creativity, collaboration, and community. Beyond its physical transformation, the launch symbolises a cultural shift—from top-down structures to grassroots engagement, where students play an active role in shaping their research environment. 

With food, conversation, and cultural exchange as key elements of the day, the event reinforced the importance of informal yet impactful interactions in fostering a thriving research ecosystem. 

This is Just the Beginning 

The That’s Me Tiny Desk Researchers’ Corner is not just a space—it is a statement of intent, a reclamation of academic belonging, and a commitment to co-creating an inclusive, engaged research community. 

The next phase? Expanding participation, deepening collaboration, and ensuring that research spaces reflect the voices of those who inhabit them. 

For more information, please contact Kerensa Hodge, Community of Practice Coordinator - kerensa.hodge@wlv.ac.uk