The Impact of the Social Sciences: How Academics and their Research Make a Difference

Description

The impact agenda is set to shape the way in which social scientists prioritise the work they choose to pursue, the research methods they use and how they publish their findings over the coming decade, but how much is currently known about how social science research has made a mark on society? Based on a three year research project studying the impact of 360 UK-based academics on business, government and civil society sectors, this groundbreaking new book undertakes the most thorough analysis yet of how academic research in the social sciences achieves public policy impacts, contributes to economic prosperity, and informs public understanding of policy issues as well as economic and social changes. The Impact of the Social Sciences addresses and engages with key issues, including: identifying ways to conceptualise and model impact in the social sciences developing more sophisticated ways to measure academic and external impacts of social science research explaining how impacts from individual academics, research units and universities can be improved. This book is essential reading for researchers, academics and anyone involved in discussions about how to improve the value and impact of funded research. Halftitle Title Copyright Contents List of figures Dedication Preface Acknowledgements List of abbreviations 1 The social sciences in modern research PART I: HOW ACADEMICS ACHIEVE EXTERNAL IMPACTS 2 Social scientists’ pathways to impacts 3 Modelling the determinants of social science impacts 4 Comparing individuals’ impact PART II: THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 5 Business and the corporate sector 6 Government and public policy making 7 Civil society organizations and the third sector 8 The media and public engagement PART III: PATTERNS OF KNOWLEDGE AND IMPACTS 9 The dynamic knowledge inventory and research mediation 10 Social science for a digital era Glossary Bibliography Index Advertisement