How can research engage with practitioners, policy makers, and the public to foster social change? This participatory course will encourage you to consider your research in the context of this important question. It will draw from the expertise of those delivering arts and cultural policy, an area of importance for arts and humanities graduates; those working in cultural institutions, with a particular focus on those engaged in activism and social change; and academics working on public and related ‘impact’ projects.

The course has three parts, offering an initial round of research presentations with feedback from the convenors and an open discussion on the challenges of impacts and engagement. In Week 2 we will consider the practices of engagement, with series of activities led by Dr Adele Patrick from Glasgow Women’s Library.  In Week 3, a panel of academics and policy makers will present and discuss a variety of approaches to writing for and engaging with public and policy audiences. This will be followed in Week 4 by open discussion in seminars led by the convenors. The course aims to encourage thinking around the sorts of activities necessary for both funding and employment beyond the PhD, where impact is a central part of academic and post-academic life.

With contributions from Nick Bibby (Scottish Policy and Research Exchange), Clive Gillman (Creative Scotland), Dr Helen Graham (University of Leeds), Dr Adele Patrick (Glasgow Women’s Library) and Alberta Whittle (Artist).

Organised for the Scottish Graduate School of Arts and Humanities Cultural and Museum Studies Discipline+ Catalyst by Dr Kirsten Lloyd and Dr Dave O’Brien, School of History of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh.