Research impact outside of academia

Is being interviewed by a local (even national) newspaper (or invited from a prestigious university to do a seminar) good for impact? No, at least not unless it leads to something else, as Prof. Gauntlett clearly explained in an article published in 2014 but still useful for those involved in projects where demonstrating the impact outside of academia is still seen as difficult. A more recent article addressing similar issues is Andrew Gunn, Michael Mintrom. (2017) Evaluating the non-academic impact of academic research: design considerations. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management 39:1, pages 20-30.

“Impact is the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy. This occurs in many ways – through creating and sharing new knowledge and innovation; inventing groundbreaking new products, companies and jobs; developing new and improving existing public services and policy; enhancing quality of life and health; and many more” tells us the UK Research and Innovation body.

Obviously, impact is not limited to economic or commercial aspects; it can also be societal, environmental, technical, educational, or scientific, as the EU reminds us in documents that should help Consortia in preparing dissemination, communication and exploitation plans to be included in their proposals.

However, my experience as expert evaluating proposals for the EU since 1993 confirms that often the information given on these important aspects looks like a localised copy and paste of the same text, year after year.

So, looking at real examples can be useful. If you do not work in the UK, maybe you are not familiar with the Research Excellence Framework (REF) the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. In 2014, the research of 154 UK Universities was assessed, in order to understand its impact outside of academia. The results, case studies following the same template, are still available through an impact case study database, a searchable tool that makes them widely available. I researched through the key word “gender” and it has been a valuable experience.

So, if you wish to write something different in your next application, to monitor and improve the impact your research will have in policy and practice, you may get inspiration from these excellent examples. And to make the task even easier, you may download the Impact toolkit written by Helen Tilley, Louis Ball, Caroline Cassidy in March 2018. You will be guided step by step.

I hope to see the results of all these efforts in the next evaluation round…

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How To Increase Women´s Participation In Science?

On September 25^th, a conference in Brussels has discussed women´s participation in science and research and the main challenges facing female scientists.

The conference brought together scientists, policy makers and experts to discuss conditions for women in science and the key factors behind the low representation of women in leading positions and within some scientific domains and fields of study.

It is a well-known fact that despite the fact that women represent half of the population, their representation in science, research and innovation lag behind.

On the occasion, Prof. Gülsün Sağlamer, President of Women Rectors Association (EWORA), has been interviewed on her professional experience.

Più donne nei CDA e nelle posizioni apicali

Un percorso formativo per migliorare le competenze utili ad accrescere l’accesso delle donne ai ruoli di responsabilità e nei Consigli di Amministrazione in Società pubbliche e private. È l’obiettivo della terza edizione del ciclo di incontri “Più donne nei CDA e nelle posizioni apicali”, proposta dal tavolo di lavoro “Più donne nei Consigli di Amministrazione e nelle posizioni apicali”.
Contenuti del corso: la valorizzazione delle risorse umane, il bilancio aziendale e le riforme correlate al Piano nazionale Impresa 4.0. In continuità con le precedenti edizioni, l’iniziativa è curata da professioniste/i ed esperte/i individuate/i dalle componenti del tavolo di lavoro, istituito presso la Regione Piemonte, di cui fanno parte: Consigliera di Parità regionale, Commissione Pari Opportunità uomo-donna del Piemonte, Città di Torino, Università degli Studi di Torino – CIRSDe (Centro Interdisciplinare di ricerche e studi delle donne e di genere), Federmanager – Gruppo Minerva Alessandria, Cuneo, Torino, AIDDA -Associazione Imprenditrici e Donne Dirigenti d’Azienda, Soroptimist International d’Italia club di Cuneo, Ordine degli Avvocati di Torino, Ordine dei Dottori Commercialisti e degli Esperti Contabili di Torino, Ordine dei Consulenti del Lavoro di Torino.

Al seguente link la presentazione e il programma degli incontri, che si terranno il 3, il 10 e il 17 ottobre dalle 14.00 alle 18.00 presso l’Aula Magna del Palazzo di Giustizia Bruno Caccia (corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 130 – Torino):
https://www.cirsde.unito.it/it/eventi/ciclo-di-incontri-piu-donne-nei-cda-e-nelle-posizioni-apicali

PARTECIPAZIONE LIBERA.

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Colporteuse… une épistémologie féministe

Geneviève Fraisse, Philosophe et historienne de la pensée féministe, Directrice de recherche émérite au CNRS (section 35 philosophie), interviendra  le 28 septembre à 9h30 en salle 31.2.85 au CNAM.

Le titre de son intervention:
“Colporteuse, ou l’épreuve de l’histoire; une épistémologie féministe”

Le séminaire est ouvert aux personnes extérieures au CNAM. Merci en revanche de signaler votre présence par mail.
 

AXE Genre, Droit et Discriminations du LISE

The System, solidarity, and retaining your own voice

An interesting post by a woman researcher: “Whereas previously, I had felt silenced, understanding the mechanics of the university (for example, reading policy documents), I was able to translate my personal grievances into political action. By understanding ‘the system’, I could voice my anger and object to practices that perpetuate gender violence. I also found a sisterhood, online and offline, which acknowledged that our anger is collective, legitimate and has the potential to transform cultures and practices.” Read the entire post here

Rachel Tavernor, March 7th, 2018