2015: Research and impact highlights
In the year since scoring highly in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the College of Humanities and Social Science (CHSS) has continued to build on its research strengths, with major funding awards for new work, and increased impact from our world-leading studies.
In total, CHSS researchers across a range of disciplines have been awarded £27 million towards new projects, including four awards from the European Research Council (ERC).
Within the School of Social and Political Science, three ERC grants have been awarded:
- an Advanced Grant to Professor Paul Nugent for a five-year project on urban areas and infrastructure in Africa
- a Consolidator Grant to Professor Tobias Kelly on the practical, ethical and political implications of freedom of conscience
- and a Starting Grant to Dr Mihaela Mihai to address complex complicity in human rights violations
A further ERC Consolidator Grant has been awarded to Professor Michela Massimi of the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences for a new five-year project on the concept of perspectivism in relation to science, knowledge and the truth.
Two senior staff members have been awarded Major Research Fellowships by the Leverhulme Trust this year. They are Professor Niamh Nic Shuibhne (Edinburgh Law School) for an evaluation of the legal framework guaranteeing equal treatment for EU citizens, and Professor Greg Walker (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures) for a study of the life of Tudor poet and playwright, John Heywood.
Work has started on a five-year, international study of the credit and labour market foundations of the macroeconomy, with a Large Grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Other collaborations include the Political Settlements Research Programme, a four-year study by a North-South Consortium primarily funded by the UK Department for International Development.
Our links with industry continue to thrive with a Big Data Partnership between the Business School and Dixons Carphone, one of Europe’s leading consumer brands. Likewise, a new ESRC-funded project bringing together Edinburgh College of Art, the New Economic Foundation and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
A model of leadership in the social sciences
REF2014 was the first assessment of its kind to measure the impact of research on the wider world. CHSS performed strongly in this respect, and we have continued to be recognised for our impact.
In June 2015, two researchers were honoured in the annual ESRC Impact Prize.
Professor Charlie Jeffrey (School of Social and Political Science) was named Impact Champion of 2015. He was recognised for his contribution to innovative and enduring methods of working with both policymakers and the wider public. The judges highlighted his contribution to the debates surrounding devolution within the UK over the last decade.
Professor Richard Harrison (Business School) was jointly awarded the prize for Outstanding Impact in Business (with Professor Colin Mason, University of Glasgow). Their research has played a crucial role in stimulating business angel investment worth £750 million a year in the UK.
Two of our Impact Case Studies are included in the ‘top 20 most impressive examples of UK research contributing to global development’ as chosen by UKCD, a body bringing together UK government departments and research funders to deliver effective development outcomes. These are: Improving Bioenergy Use in East Africa; and Alternative Energy Systems in Sub-Saharan and South Asia.
Explore the impact of our research
You can find out more about the impact of our research on our dedicated website, Humanities and Social Science: Making a difference, which includes a range of case studies across arts and culture, energy and the environment, health and wellbeing, organisational change and wealth creation, public services, policy and legislation, social justice and education, business, finance and the economy, and understanding the world.