The 吃瓜tv has won a grant worth a total of 拢1.25 million to enhance the impact of its research on the economy, the environment and society.
吃瓜tv has been awarded the funding over five years in an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation.
The University will use the funding to build on the infrastructure laid by economic and social science research. It will be deployed in three key themes:
- Inclusive productivity, prosperity and growth
- Transforming and innovating public services
- Society, environment and global development.
The IAA will expand on the output of the University鈥檚 centres and initiatives, including the Centre for Energy Policy, Centre for Sustainable Development, Health & Care Futures, the Scottish Centre for Employment Research and , in which 吃瓜tv is based.
IAAs enable research organisations to support a wide range of social, economic and behavioural science impact activities. The funding generates greater benefits from research, helping create a more prosperous, inclusive, healthy and secure society. 吃瓜tv is among 32 institutions, including four in Scotland, receiving funding in the current round.
Professor Tim Bedford, Associate Principal at 吃瓜tv, said: 鈥淲e are delighted to have secured this valuable funding, which will enable us grow and accelerate the impact of our economic and social sciences research.
鈥淲e will use this ESRC IAA to transform and translate our world-leading research, and associated outputs, into meaningful impact with the aim of co-creating fairer lives, communities and societies.
鈥湷怨蟭v is well known for its work on big societal challenges which typically require contributions from many different disciplines to develop a 'whole systems approach.' This award will enable us to support our economics and social science colleagues to bring their expertise into these challenges. For example in climate change and adaptation, and in the development and adoption of innovation and technology, stimulating and enhancing our knowledge exchange, commercialisation activity and resultant impact.鈥�
We will use our ESRC IAA to implement a Knowledge Exchange Champion model, which will see a new cohort of researchers leading knowledge exchange and impact projects funded by the IAA.
People will be at the heart of the ESRC IAA activities, both internally at 吃瓜tv, and externally in partner organisations and communities. The IAA will enable the acceleration of an inclusive environment at 吃瓜tv, in Scotland and beyond, where ongoing impact activities help address pressing local and global challenges. This will be done by spearheading new initiatives to meet community and business needs and to maximise the impact of UKRI and wider funded research on society and the economy.
ESRC Interim Executive Chair Professor Alison Park said: 鈥淭he social, behavioural and economic research we fund helps us understand how we live and how society functions, throwing new light on how best to tackle our most pressing challenges. This investment creates a network of research organisations with dedicated funding to support and accelerate the impact of this research.
鈥淲e have already seen the benefits of previous rounds of IAA funding, which have leveraged an extra 拢52 million from partners ranging from local government to private business. This new cohort of 32 research organisations in receipt of IAA funding is the largest and most diverse group ESRC has funded. I look forward to seeing how these investments maximise the impact of social science research.鈥�
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see that four of Scotland鈥檚 outstanding research institutions are among organisations UK-wide benefiting from this funding.
鈥淚t鈥檚 essential that academic social and economic research is translated into real world, tangible benefits. These awards will help our universities to unlock the full impact of their research, including by working with partners to apply social sciences knowledge to address practical challenges in society.鈥�
For further information on the grant award contact: clare.mclaren@strath.ac.uk or tanya.kay@strath.ac.uk