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This case study describes how the research of Justin Champion (Professor of the History of Early Modern Ideas) into political and religious freedom in the seventeenth century and the public responsibilities of Enlightenment intellectuals has had a ground-breaking impact on the ethics of public engagement in today's historical profession. The process of making his research findings comprehensible to a broader public has led directly to the development of ideas, theories and activities centred on `Public History', and has included important interventions in matters of public historical import which have affected practitioner understanding. The case study presents the structural and individual activities which have shaped this impact.
This case study concerns the public understanding of history as a practical discipline. Through a series of high-profile research publications, popular articles, and textbooks, Professor John Tosh's research has had an impact in two distinct ways. Firstly, these publications have been incorporated into teaching and lecturing practice internationally, influencing students' understanding of the discipline. Secondly, they have had an impact on wider public understanding of history as a practical discipline. The reach and significance of this impact is demonstrated by publication sales and readership figures, high-profile critical reception, political debate and wider public discourse.
This case study rests on research in the transatlantic slave trade and abolition in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries undertaken by Professor Suzanne Schwarz. The impacts are threefold. Firstly, the research contributes to community memory and identity through impact on public discourse in an area with significant and arguably "unresolved" cultural legacy. Secondly, it has direct and indirect pedagogical impact through sustained engagement in CPD, teacher and school-related activities in partnership with National Museums Liverpool (NML), in the sensitive and contested parts of History and Citizenship areas of National Curriculum and finally, the pedagogical partnership with NML itself has reciprocal impact in relation to the professional activities of museum staff.
Research into the history of the emotions undertaken by members of the QMUL Centre for the History of the Emotions has made possible a series of impacts of local, national and international reach and significance, on public understanding of emotions, on contemporary art and culture, and on political debates about public policy, emotions and wellbeing. Impacts have been achieved through a range of activities, including practical interventions in schools, input into radio and television broadcasts, an artist in residence scheme, an international email list and blog, and policy discussions with think tanks such as the Young Foundation.
Stefan Collini's research on the character of universities and their relations to their host societies has had a major impact on public discourse in Britain. Grounded in historical evidence concerning the growth of institutions and disciplines, and on the ways public debate about the functions of universities has evolved since the mid-nineteenth century, it has influenced political argument about legislation, the content of reporting on higher education, and public understanding of universities more generally. There is extensive evidence for the uptake of these ideas in documents produced by public bodies, citations in the media, and other published reports on policy debates.
This case study draws upon the research of the internationally renowned scholar, Peter Hennessy (http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-hennessy-of-nympsfield/4189), and the public engagement organisation that he established, the Mile End Group (MEG — http://www.mileendgroup.com/). Hennessy's historically-informed understanding of constitutional and governance issues has enabled him to make direct interventions in key debates in the House of Lords and affect public debate and parliamentary democracy. Similarly, MEG has played a critical role in generating popular and public interest in its events and thus in the modern and contemporary history of British constitutional affairs and governance. MEG is a trusted environment in which historians, civil servants and politicians can frame decision-making with a proper appreciation of precedent, contingency and comparative studies. It has provided historical research and expertise in its work with No. 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office on the Cabinet Secretaries Project and with the Treasury for its in-house seminars `Learning the Lessons of Past Spending Reviews'.
Joe Moran's research on the habits and spaces of everyday life in postwar Britain has deepened public understanding and promoted debate about those areas of our everyday lives that may generate little informed discussion or historical reflection because they seem mundane or routine; it has deconstructed popular memories and mythologies about daily life in the recent past; and it has promoted the value and relevance of cultural history and cultural studies to the public as a way of understanding their own lives. His work has reached a national audience through books, journalism, television and radio appearances and contributions to public events.
An independent Scotland has the potential to radically transform the shipbuilding and nuclear weapons industries, with a UK-wide impact. University of Glasgow research has helped shape the contentious public and political debate on the future of the Clyde shipbuilding industry, naval bases and UK nuclear weapons in the case of Scottish independence. Alongside significant public and media engagement, Phillips O'Brien from the Scottish Centre for War Studies at Glasgow has advised on policy, written commissioned papers for and testified in front of two UK parliamentary committees — Foreign Affairs and Scottish Affairs — and briefed UK and European diplomats.
Research at the University of Manchester on the changing dynamics of defence technological innovation led to policy and practice change including: a changed approach to the strategic management of technology in a leading UK based defence and aerospace multinational company contributing to a radical shift in its funding and a new emphasis on open innovation (BAE Systems); the decision by the Swedish government not to pursue the privatisation of its government defence research laboratories (FOI); and contributing to the development of European Commission policy on security industrial policy. The lead researcher advised key stakeholders using the evidence base from his research through commissioned consultancy, high-level advisory meetings and workshops, industry round tables and conferences, via trade journal articles, using the media in evidence and sessions at the European Parliament.
The development of chemical and biological warfare (CBW) in Britain is surrounded by secrecy and controversy, and attracts great public interest. Professor Brian Balmer's research has made him a leading commentator on this aspect of national defence policy, and as such he has had a major impact on public awareness and understanding of CBW, in the UK and abroad. His expertise has often been called upon to explain to the general public the import of newly declassified documents. His research has also had an impact on policy-makers, NGOs and others by informing them about the history of policy debates about the control of CBW weapons.