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Swenson-Wright

Summary of the impact

Dr Swenson-Wright's research into mechanisms for resolving the security challenge of a nuclear North Korea combines collaboration with a broad range of policy communities, advocacy and advisory work with the UK and Republic of Korea (ROK) governments, engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) (including unique educational and cultural initiatives between Britain and the DPRK), contact with policy makers, politicians, military officers, corporate and nongovernmental representatives, as well as frequent interaction with the international media and the general public. His research has had an impact on government policy, training military personnel, deepening public and media understanding of the Korean situation, and persuading business leaders to engage with the DPRK.

Submitting Institution

University of Cambridge

Unit of Assessment

Area Studies

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science
Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

The Arab Spring: advice and informed analysis

Summary of the impact

The Middle East Centre (MEC) has achieved a unique standing in providing informed analysis of the region, based on its cumulative academic expertise. It has made significant contributions to the media's and the public's understanding of political and societal developments in the Middle East. The MEC has given advice both to emerging Arab democracies on their own political systems, and to other governments on their relations with the countries of the region. The centre itself has also become a place of neutral ground, where individuals from opposite sides in conflicts in the region can meet, away from local tensions.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Area Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Religion and Religious Studies

Challenges for and Assessment of British and EU Policies in the Mediterranean Neighbourhood (Relating to 'Arab Spring' and Syria Crisis in particular)

Summary of the impact

(1) European Commission officials and humanitarian aid agency representatives based their discussion of European Union (EU) and humanitarian policy options in Syria and their ultimate recommendations to United Nations officials in Geneva on the findings of a policy options paper prepared by Professor Rosemary Hollis of City University London. In addition, senior UK military planners incorporated Hollis's findings in contingency planning in April 2012 and April 2013 following her invited participation in brainstorming sessions.

(2) Hollis's research findings expanded UK-Turkish dialogue and contributed to the success of a key forum (Tatlidil, Istanbul, October 2012) aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.

(3) The 2013 Foreign Policy Report of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) on the `Balance of Competences' between the UK and the EU was substantiated with evidence from her research.

(4) Her research informed and shaped media coverage and civil society debate about Arab uprisings during the period 2009-2012.

Submitting Institution

City University, London

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science

The Institute of Middle East, Central Asian and Caucasus Studies (MECACS): Influencing this unstable region’s triadic nexus of Policy Community, Civil Society and the Individual

Summary of the impact

The Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus (the MECAC region) houses some of the most intractable conflicts in the world that demand fresh ideas and proposals about building stable societies and economies. The Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) has co-ordinated underpinning research to grapple with these challenges, and its impact includes (a) the local and Western policy-making community reassessing their policies and behaviour in key areas of foreign policy-making and conflict resolution; b) reports, cultural artefacts and exhibitions that have been used by civil society activists and cultural entrepreneurs to strengthen inter-communal dialogue and reflection; and c) a radical improvement in the career opportunities of individuals and the sustainability of institutions of higher education. The research has encouraged diverse benefits to Western policy-makers and to a broad set of regional actors. Involving both the political and regional elites representing sectors of society, culture and education, the influence of the research has been penetrating, comprehensive and self-sustaining.

Submitting Institution

University of St Andrews

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science
Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

Political Dynamics in Post-2003 Iraq

Summary of the impact

Professor Gareth Stansfield's research at the University of Exeter into aspects of post-2003 Iraq has informed UK government and international policy towards Iraq since the invasion, and has had impact on policy makers in the US and the UN, through interventions raised and derived from his research. Specifically, his research has had an impact in three areas:

  • Research into conflict management in Iraq's disputed territories has informed the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) recommendations for resolving the dispute.
  • Research on political mobilization and civil war dynamics in Iraq informed guidelines for asylum/human rights determination process for the UK Borders Agency (UKBA).
  • Research into post-conflict stabilization and approaches to state building contributed significantly to public awareness and policy debate through the media on managing the situation through federal and power-sharing arrangements in Iraq.

Submitting Institution

University of Exeter

Unit of Assessment

Area Studies

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science

Improving the outcomes of post-conflict peace-building and security reforms: Sierra Leone and Nepal

Summary of the impact

Jackson's research on post-conflict state-building has shaped processes of international intervention and internal reconciliation during and following conflicts in Africa and South Asia. His work has had impact in two main areas.

First, in Nepal where Jackson has directly contributed to securing successful implementation of the peace agreement to demobilise, rehabilitate and reintegrate 20,000 Maoist combatants though involvement in mediation between the Nepali military and government on the one hand, and Maoist combatants on the other.

Second, Jackson's research along with a government commissioned evaluation of the UK's peace intervention in Sierra Leone has resulted in the provision of expert advice on security sector reform to UK and foreign governments and non-governmental organisations, through:

  • delivery of major continuing professional development programmes to high-ranking security officials from around the world (many of whom have subsequently been deployed on peace-building missions);
  • policy evaluation for the Department of International Development (DFID) in the implementation of Security Sector Reform (SSR) programmes;
  • development and delivery of programmes of practitioner training for UK government agencies and NGOs;
  • acting as a senior security and justice adviser to the UK government's Stabilisation Unit and the DFID Head of Profession on security and governance.

Submitting Institution

University of Birmingham

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science

Chang

Summary of the impact

Chang's research has covered a wide range of public policy, including industrial policy, trade policy, privatisation, and agricultural policy, as well as theories of state intervention. By successfully challenging the then prevailing orthodoxy on economic development, his research has had significant influence on the actions of many national governments, multilateral institutions (e.g., the UN, the World Bank) and NGOs (e.g., Oxfam). Chang's research has also had substantial impact on public debate concerning economic policies, especially but not exclusively those regarding development issues. He has had two best-selling mass-market books (together sold 1.15 million copies as of December 2012) and gained worldwide media exposure for his views.

Submitting Institution

University of Cambridge

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Economics: Economic Theory, Applied Economics, Econometrics

The rise of India: influencing official view of India as a global power

Summary of the impact

Research undertaken by Dr. Harsh Pant has examined the cause and consequences of India's rise as a global power. The research findings have had broad reach and have had influence in shaping the views of the US State and Defense Departments, the US Congress, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Israeli Ministry of External Affairs, the Swedish Ministry of Defence and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Submitting Institution

King's College London

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Political Science, Sociology

Debating Israel/Palestine: Jewish dissent in English studies

Summary of the impact

This case study details impact generated by Jacqueline Rose's research on psychoanalysis and the literary, focusing on her work on the interdependency of the inner world of the psyche and the outer world of politics, especially relations between states and cultures, notably Palestine/Israel. She has pursued a campaign of public engagement through mass media publications (newspapers, magazines), organizing public lectures and discussions, and by co-founding a `speak-out' organization to facilitate debate (Independent Jewish Voices) to encourage dialogue amongst British Jews on the subject of the Middle Eastern conflict. The research has further influenced creative practice by inspiring and supporting new classical music compositions and performances by Mohammed Fairouz, which have had more than 15 performances at venues around the world, reaching an audience in excess of 10,000.

Submitting Institution

Queen Mary, University of London

Unit of Assessment

English Language and Literature

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Literary Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Religion and Religious Studies

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