There are still a few places available for tonight’s event on ‘The Impact of Impact’, run by the King’s Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Centre (KISS-DTC), Monday 16 June 5.30 to 7.00 pm at King’s College London, Strand Campus, room K2.31:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-impact-of-impact-who-are-we-researching-for-tickets-11067849235

Panelists:

• Dame Janet Finch, Chair of the Social Sciences panel in the Research Excellence Framework
• Aileen Murphie, National Audit Office Director DCLG & Local Government Value for Money
• Anthony Tomei, former director of Nuffield Foundation
• Dr Duncan Green, Senior Strategic Advisor, Oxfam GB & author of From Poverty to Power
• Moderator: Mark Easton, Home Editor, BBC News

For a number of years, social scientists have been subject to increasing scrutiny of the contribution of their research to the economy and society in general. Impact outside academia and the ‘usefulness’ of research have gained additional salience in the current context of budgetary constraints and austerity. In this context, selling one’s ideas to practitioners has become a requirement for many social scientists. Academics are expected to frame their work to match the expectations of consumers outside of the university sector (private companies, foundations, etc.).

But what are the implications for the development of knowledge in general? Does the focus on the impact of social science distort research? Or are these changes an opportunity for social science to contribute more directly to society and stimulate social engagement?

Our illustrious panel represents academic, practitioner and funder perspectives and will debate how the shift in social science research funding influences – consciously or unconsciously, positively or negatively – the content and nature of academic knowledge, and thus shapes the field.