Summary of the impact

The research into mixed racial people, couples and families has enhanced social awareness, corrected misconceptions and celebrated the heritage of these groups. Impact centres around educating various publics through channels such as a prime time viewing on BBC2. The research has also manifested itself in: (i) a successful on-line resource (Mix-d Museum) in collaboration with the third sector, (ii) materials which have influenced school curricula, and (iii) training resources for teachers. One organisation has presented the materials emanating from the research to over 250 foster carers within a year. The British Academy recognised the research as an exemplar which contributed to the reintroduction of its Small Grant scheme.

Summary of the impact

The impact has its origins in work carried out by social policy (Kofman) and legal (Wray, Howard) academics from the mid-2000s which challenged existing conceptualisations of family migration, the absence of gender considerations and the evidential basis for national and European policy in this field.

This research has culminated since 2011 in an influential intervention in debates on restrictions on spousal migration, especially relating to income requirements, in Parliament, amongst NGOs and the public, and on the form and outcome of legal proceedings which challenged the compatibility of immigration rules restricting spousal migration with human rights and non-discrimination norms. The impact therefore takes the form of significant contribution to legal challenges and policy debate that are creating impetus for reform.

Summary of the impact

This case study is underpinned by the first qualitative research study of national significance into the views of white working class communities on community cohesion. It builds on over 10 years of research into community cohesion at Coventry University. The case study includes impacts on:

• Creativity, culture and society: by being cited in public debate amongst stakeholders through discussion in social media, national and international press and media;
• Public policy: by leading parliamentary debate amongst MPs, influencing the development of political party policy and by citation in parliamentary proceedings;
• Practitioners and professional services: by informing debate amongst policy-makers and housing professionals including at international practitioner-led events in Chicago, San Francisco and New York.

Beneficiaries include central and local government policy-makers, members of charities and funders, lobbying groups, think tanks and political parties, political commentators, housing professionals, journalists, social workers and the general public.