Opening Remarks: SSH contributions to a Competitive Europe – Creativity & Culture Professor Ellen Hazelkorn Achieving Impact International Conference & Brokerage Event February 2014 Athens

Re-conceptualising “Impact” Role of higher education and university-based research as the “engine” of social and economic growth and prosperity has led to significant changes in priorities, funding and practices: – Social contract: funding provided as long as there are usable outputs; – Engaged Scholarship: on basis that research does not exist in isolation; – Democratisation of knowledge: greater public accessibility and transparency of scientific communication; −Quality: in a globalised world, quality is a key determinant of competitive advantage. −New emphasis throws down gauntlet for AHSS.

Demonstrating Impact Research impact is a demonstrated influence (LSE, 2011): – Academic impacts: influences upon actors in academia or universities, – External impacts: influences on actors outside HE on business, government or civil society. Once research is seen to have value, impact and benefit beyond the academy, then what is measured, how and by who changes.

Challenge for the AHSS How should AHSS respond to this new policy regime and public discourse? – Does it ignore the new demands or should it engage? – Does it argue a disciplinary exceptionalism or should the “same rules” apply? – How can AHSS demonstrate value, impact and benefit? – What can be learned about how the “sciences” have positioned themselves?

What is to be done? No more exceptionalism; AHSS has much greater commonality with other disciplines; Take ownership of the challenges and responsibility for telling technology developers what is required; Peer-review no longer sole method by which research is assessed; End-user or stakeholder esteem is vital component; Grey matter important: broader range of indicators and methodologies required; Informing the public about the value of AHSS research helps increase support for AHSS.

Research Outputs/Impact Journal articles Book chapters Computer software and databases Conference publications Editing of major works Legal cases, maps Major art works Major works in production or exhibition and/or award-winning design Patents or plant breeding rights Policy documents or brief Research or technical reports Technical drawings, designs or working models Translations Visual recordings Peer Esteem Impact on Teaching Improved Productivity, Reduced Costs Improvements on environment and lifestyle Improving people’s health and quality of life Increased employment Informed public debate New approaches to social issues New curriculum Patents, Licenses Policy change Social innovation Stakeholder esteem Stimulating creativity

Today’s Session Overarching issues to be addressed: – Impact from end-users’ viewpoint (benefitting from impact) and researchers’ (achieving impact); – Interdisciplinarity; – Integrating the international dimension; – Comparative research approach and underlining its added value. Introduction: Prof Sean Ryder, Ireland 3 Case Studies World Café Discussion – 7 groups with c. 15 people; number on entry Final Plenary