Full Description
In the modern globalized world, some estimates suggest that around 40 million people now work in jobs that 'translate' or mediate advances in social science research for use in business, government and public agencies, health care systems, and civil society organizations. Many large corporations and organizations across these sectors in the United States are increasingly prioritizing access to social science knowledge. Yet the impacts of university social science continue to be fiercely disputed. This key study demonstrates the essential role of university social science in the 'human-dominated' and 'human-influenced' systems now central to our civilization. It focuses empirically on Britain, the second most influential country for social science research after the US. Using in-depth research the authors show how the growth of a services economy, and the success of previous scientific interventions, mean that key areas of advance for corporations, public policy-makers and citizens alike now depend on our ability to understand our complex societies and economies. This is a landmark study in the evidence-based analysis of social science impacts.
Contents
Foreword by Ken PrewittINTRODUCTIONThe social sciences - impacts in search of a modelPART I: HOW ACADEMICS ACHIEVE IMPACTSocial science research and channels of impact (with Joan Wilson)Modelling the determinants of external social science impacts (with Joan Wilson)PART II: THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCHBusiness and commercial firms (with Rebecca Mann)Government and public policy makingCivil society organizations and public engagement (with Raphaelle Bisiaux)PART III: THE IMPACTS INTERFACE AND sectorsNarratives of impact and supporting case studiesPART IV: NEW DIRECTIONSThe governance of impact in higher education institutionsDigital scholarship and impactConclusions: Intellectuals, Impacts, and Civilisation
