CiviAct: Negotiating ‘fields of paradox’ in anti-racist university community partnerships

This article introduces and critically reflects upon the development of CiviAct – a multi-agency project that partners six anti-racist activist organisations two universities in North England. seeks to support realise benefits youth community-led civic action. It does this by: (i) financially resourcing work organisations; (ii) connecting those with each other create new opportunities for co-learning; (iii) exploring models university partnership. Based on insights derived from 12-month period (conducted throughout first wave Covid-19 pandemic) we examine points tension, manifested at intersections between community partners, funders. Extending Strier’s discussion university-community partnerships (UCP) as ‘fields paradox’, outline complexities collaborative working within UCP adhere priorities anti-racism an ethic love. In doing so surfaces burden boundary undertaken by both academic seeking prioritise knowledge practices beyond academy, activists, who are expected conform institutional standards may have little relevance their practice. The contributes series reflections be use researchers engaged UCP.