Similar case studies

REF impact found 45 Case Studies

Currently displayed text from case study:

Wetland Management and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa

Summary of the impact

Dr Alan Dixon's research, undertaken in East and Southern Africa, has examined how local people develop wetland management knowledge, and how local institutional arrangements facilitate wetland management that balances livelihood needs with the maintenance of ecosystem services. In Ethiopia, research findings have been applied by the Ethio-Wetlands and Natural Resources Association, enhancing the livelihoods of 2000+ households. In Malawi and Zambia, the `Striking a Balance' project implemented wetland-catchment management initiatives with 300+ households, alleviating poverty amongst local communities. On-going research and field implementation activities continue to inform the wetland-livelihoods policy-making agenda of governments and local and international NGOs.

Submitting Institution

University of Worcester

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Sociology

Indigenous Knowledge and Development

Summary of the impact

Following extensive ethnographic research in South Asia, Durham Anthropology highlighted the pressing need to include indigenous knowledge (IK) in development practice and sustainable resource management. As part of our research we helped establish an NGO-based network with an explicit remit to promote and implement our research insights in Bangladesh. This network has had far-reaching effects, empowering local people and helping to promote agricultural resilience and sustainable livelihoods (e.g. in preserving seed bio-diversity). Development practitioners in Bangladeshi universities are now trained using methods based on our research. IK-aware development based on Durham research is also internationally recognised and implemented by UNESCO.

Submitting Institution

University of Durham

Unit of Assessment

Anthropology and Development Studies

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Human Geography, Policy and Administration

Sustainable enterprise development and livelihoods in South-West Ethiopia

Summary of the impact

Research by the University of Huddersfield is making a major contribution to maintaining the tropical forests of south-west Ethiopia and improving the livelihoods of those who rely on them. By identifying effective arrangements for sustainable resource management and small-scale business development, the research has led to increased production, enhanced links with national and international markets and developed new institutions, as well as leading to revised legislation. Over 105,000 hectares of degrading forest are being transformed into a working and profitable resource and 18 new enterprises now serve around 100,000 people. In total, an estimated fifteen million people benefit from new rules supporting forest enterprise development.

Submitting Institution

University of Huddersfield

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences: Forestry Sciences
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

Strengthening community participation and resilience in Bradford through global south-north learning and participatory research

Summary of the impact

Since the Bradford Riots in 2001, research at Bradford has helped to defuse underlying tensions between deprived, multiethnic communities and between them and the local state thus strengthening community resilience in the city. Building on global research, particularly in Latin America, we have introduced participatory and peace-building methodologies into the locality, but with implications beyond it. The Programme for a Peaceful City enhances our impact through academic-practitioner reflection spaces. Our research with rather than on communities fosters their voice in policy, contributing to a non-confrontational response to the EDL in 2010, 2012 and 2013 and bringing community activists from Bradford's diverse communities together to co-create the ESRC-funded Community University (Comm-Uni-ty) in May 2013.

Submitting Institution

University of Bradford

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Sociology

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equalities

Summary of the impact

Research undertaken by Monro from the Centre for Research in the Social Sciences (CRISS) into the continuing marginalisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people has influenced UK and international policymaking and practice. Addressing key issues concerning relationships between LGBT people and state institutions, the research findings have helped to shape the development of practice in central government departments, local authorities, housing associations, healthcare and community organisations and voluntary sector associations. This impact has resulted in improvement to the material and social conditions of LGBT people, enhancing their ability to contribute to society and the economy, in line with the EU Horizon 2020 theme of promoting inclusive, innovative and reflective societies. The case study provides evidence that the research has raised awareness about LGBT issues. This cultural shift is crucial to improving the life experiences and economic productivity of LGBT people, given the lack of understanding that they commonly face, and the negative impacts on their wellbeing of prejudice and social erasure.

Submitting Institution

University of Huddersfield

Unit of Assessment

Social Work and Social Policy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Sociology

Delivering sustainability: natural resource management for social and ecological benefit

Summary of the impact

Effective, equitable natural resource management poses increasingly complex challenges for policymakers and local communities in the context of climate change, population growth and potentially conflicting agendas on biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and economic growth. Leicester research on socio-ecological, culturally appropriate approaches to environmental governance and sustainability has been integral to:

  • The development of evidence-based policy and practice on land use, tenure, conservation and pastoralists' livelihoods in Mongolia, by i) empowering herders to communicate with newly-elected government officials; ii) input to policymakers and donors and iii) enhancing herders' understanding and implementation of collaborative management.
  • Improved water access amongst marginalised communities at Lake Naivasha, Kenya, with tangible impacts on water poverty and well-being, through i) rehabilitation of infrastructure, ii) environmental education and capacity building and iii) new strategies for sustainable development across the Naivasha basin.

Submitting Institution

University of Leicester

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

Managing complexity in practice: A viable system model (VSM) intervention in an Irish eco-community

Summary of the impact

Using her self-transformation methodology [5], Dr Angela Espinosa worked with an Irish eco-community, which had previously tried to self-organise with little success, to help community members identify and develop new structures, systems and mechanisms that improved performance and contributed to dealing with key viability threats. They acquired skills in community self-transformation, allowing them to: a) improve the community organisation; b) enhance connectivity and communications; c) complete the expansion of the ecovillage, d) sell and build more eco-houses, overcoming financial threats; and e) design and develop several new green businesses.

Submitting Institution

University of Hull

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy and practice development in the health care sector

Summary of the impact

Bradford academics developed a research framework to understand equality, diversity and inclusion which health organisations used in formulating policy and practice. This led to more effective engagement in these issues thereby improving community wellbeing and addressing health inequalities. The framework informed changes in the commissioning and delivery of local community health services and in national level human resources rationale. A service provider redesigned their preventive services, incorporated novel employment and peer adviser opportunities and achieved higher levels of engagement and service use within their diverse community. The framework has been used by a range of organisations including Brap and Gateway Family Services, to underpin their participation-based, voice-centred research. Notably McMillan Cancer Support has used the voice-centred approach, developed by Brap using the Bradford framework, to develop their policy and practice.

Submitting Institution

University of Bradford

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration
Psychology and Cognitive Sciences: Psychology

Managing electronic records: Changing behaviour and practice through evidence-based research

Summary of the impact

This case study focuses on the impact of a significant body of empirical, evidence-based research on managing electronic records (ERM) which involved global participation. The impact relates primarily to the behaviour change of information and records professionals in terms of their practice (e.g. strategic planning, service delivery, advice, and education), ways of thinking/decision-making, and their engagement with and/or conduct of research. It is both incremental and transformative in nature. The beneficiaries are practitioners in the UK and internationally. Specific examples are the Chief of Archives and Records Management, United Nations, and those receiving training in six countries.

Submitting Institution

Northumbria University Newcastle

Unit of Assessment

Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management 

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems

Participatory GIS in action: new social enterprise Mapping for Change

Summary of the impact

The social enterprise Mapping for Change (MfC) was established to make use of participatory mapping knowledge and software created through research at UCL. Since 2009, MfC has secured more than 20 contracts worth in excess of £435,000, and has delivered over 30 projects in many communities, directly engaging more than 5,000 people and reaching far more online and indirectly. Its projects have increased community engagement in the local environment, led to new environmental monitoring by local authorities and stimulated policy debate about noise and air pollution.

Submitting Institution

University College London

Unit of Assessment

Civil and Construction Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Education: Specialist Studies In Education

Filter Impact Case Studies

Download Impact Case Studies