02/06/2026
What does “research impact” look like in practice in the Social Sciences?
A recent panel at the School of Social Sciences Research and Scholarship Showcase explored how research moves beyond academic publication — through collaboration, public engagement, policy dialogue, professional networks, and community partnerships.
The Showcase brought together colleagues at all career stages — academics, researchers, and postdoctoral scholars — to share research, expertise, and practice from across the School.
Across the session, speakers reflected on how research contributes to public conversation, professional practice, policy development, and wider social understanding through sustained collaboration with communities, organisations, and practitioners.
In “Preventing the Abuse of Women Runners”, Dr Caroline Miles and Professor Rose Broad (Criminology) shared research on harassment, fear, and the safety work undertaken by women runners. The project has informed wider discussions on violence against women and girls, through engagement with police forces, councils, running organisations, campaigns, podcasts, and media.
Dr Frederique Janssen-Lauret and Dr Ajinkya Deshmukh (Philosophy) discussed outreach introducing non-Western philosophical traditions to secondary school pupils, delivered through schools, supporting broader access to philosophy beyond traditional curricula.
In “Fast Policy and Practice Transfer in Policy Work at the Frontline of Labour Market Governance”, Dr Alex Nunn (Politics ) reflected on how research that began with a funded project on New Labour and Jobcentre policy evolved into wider work on policy transfer across Europe and Latin America. Much of this work has developed through consultancy, international policy networks, and engagement with governments and policy practitioners.
Professor Simona Giordano (The University of Manchester Law School) presented work on the clinical management of transgender and gender-diverse young people, exploring ethical questions around care pathways, evidence standards, and harm reduction, in dialogue with clinicians, advocacy groups, policymakers, and guideline developers.
Importantly, the session also highlighted the complexities of impact work — including how research is translated for different audiences, how collaboration shapes research itself, and how findings are interpreted beyond academia.
Taken together, the panel showcased how Social Sciences research engages with complex contemporary issues through dialogue, collaboration, and ongoing exchange across academic, policy, professional, and community settings.
