PEAs in Pods is an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded programme that seeks to empower Greater Manchester (GM) data science and artificial intelligence (AI) research community to engage meaningfully with traditionally marginalised communities and to embed co-production methods into individual and institutional research processes and governance.

Early-career researchers (Public Engagement Ambassadors (PEAs)), from three of the Greater Manchester universities (The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the University of Salford) and community members from Inspire, The Tatton, and Back on Track have been brought together to work as equal partners. Together they shaped research questions, contributed lived experience, and co-produced activities exploring data, scrutiny, trust, and technological and systemic change. The programme was led by MMU in partnership with social enterprise Noisy Cricket.

The PEAs first received training in co-production and community engagement (Pod-1), followed by mentoring and reflective practice to embed public engagement within their own research (Pod-2). They then worked with community members to co-design practical activities focused on bringing ethical AI and data-driven research to life for local communities (Pod-3).

Using participatory AI, the teams co-produced three projects:

• People’s Charter for AI;
• 10-minute educational video – “Community Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence”;
• Practical solution for empowering people disadvantaged by homelessness: mitigating AI risks and strengthening rewards.

A key aim of the programme is for research to be inclusive, relevant, and impactful by design – empowering traditionally marginalised communities to have a genuine seat at the table, not as subjects but as active co-creators.  It advances social inclusion, supports prosperous and healthy communities by building data-literacy, awareness and confidence, and contributes to environmental sustainability by promoting responsible and ethical technology development that respects and amplifies community voices.

• A showcase handbook summarises the work and shares what was learned.