10:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Friday 4 March 2016

Place: Graduate Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff.

Presenters

• Professor Adam Hedgecoe, Director of Research, Cardiff School of Social Sciences & Director, Cardiff Centre for the Ethical & Social Aspects of Genomics and Epigenetics (Cesagene), Cardiff University
• Professor David James, Professor in the Cardiff School of Social Sciences and Director of the ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Centre
• Professor Emma Renold, Professor in Childhood Stuides, Cardiff School of Social Sciences
• Dr Jamie Lewis, SAGE Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cardiff School of Social Sciences
• Dr Richard Watermeyer, Director of Research & Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Bath

Content & Aims

Over the past few years the idea that academic research should prove that it has had ‘impact’ on the broader, non-academic community – or on specific segments of that community – has gained considerable momentum.  Applications for RCUK grants now have to outline the ways in which such impact will be achieved.  Impact is assessed as part of the Research Excellence Framework, the outcome of which has a major effect on both funding and reputation for universities.

This workshop aims to introduce students to the main concepts of impact, its historical origins, how it is measured, and to the critiques of this measurement, noting for example how these differ across funding bodies.  It will include a range of presentations on the dilemmas and achievements in an expanded definition of ‘impact’ from specific research projects, and will provide a structure within which to apply these insights to participants’ own projects and their research plans or ambitions.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Develop a critical appreciation of the nature of debates about impact in the UK and their broader context;
• Be able to explain the significance of concepts of impact for their own research and for the wider field(s) of which it is a part;
• Understand how (and to what extent) it is possible to engage with non-academic audiences before, during and after specific social science research projects;
• Begin a process of developing an impact profile in respect of their own work.

Cost

• Wales DTC postgraduate social science research students, i.e. students registered at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff or Swansea Universities: free of charge
• ESRC and non-funded postgraduate social science research students registered at a UK HEI: free of charge (subsidised by an ESRC advanced training bursary)
• Non social science postgraduate research students: £30.00
• Staff at HEI’s, ESRC funded researchers, UK registered charities: £60.00

Lunch and refreshments are provided.  The Wales DTC is able to provide a limited number of bursaries (of up to £150) to support the attendance of postgraduate social science research students from outside of the Wales DTC institutions (Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea Universities).  Students must be currently registered at a UK HEI.  The bursary is designed to meet travel costs (standard/economy travel) and hotel accommodation.  Bursaries will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.  Non-Wales DTC students should contact walesdtc@cardiff.ac.uk regarding the availability of a bursary and for information on how to claim back travel expenses, after completing the booking form below.

Any cancellations received later than 14 days prior to the event may be subject to a charge.

Students at Cardiff University can book through the UGC booking system, all others can use the form below.

If you require any further information or if you have any trouble booking a space, please contact the Wales DTC via email (walesdtc@cardiff.ac.uk) or by telephone (029 20876775).

Deadline for bookings

26 February 2016

Bookings