Summary of the impact

Professor Andrew Dobson's research into environmental politics and, in particular, the nature, meaning, and policy relevance of the idea of `environmental citizenship', spans 25 years. This research has had, and continues to have, particular impact on two key areas:

(1) environmental campaigns for social, economic and political change, including being lead writer of the Green Party's 2010 General Election manifesto

(2) the portfolio of policies available to the Government, and to a range of bodies and organisations (including Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and commercial organisations), for encouraging more pro-environmental behaviour

Summary of the impact

Research on sexual and gender inequalities in accessing citizenship has produced significant impacts by:

• Informing and influencing policy debate and formation in the UK and EU, and within Nepali governmental organisations, NGOs, and with international donors and agencies working in the region.
• Assisting the development of advocacy and policy implementation on sexualities equalities in the UK through capacity building in local authorities, healthcare, voluntary and community organisations, and on post-trafficking citizenship issues through capacity building in NGOs concerned with human rights in Nepal and internationally.

Summary of the impact

Research by Davies and others at York has clarified the views and understandings of stakeholders of `citizenship' in the context of citizenship education, and developed the case for an approach that has a strong conceptual core (inspired by political literacy and incorporating influences that emphasise communities and identities at local, national and global levels) and which is contemporary, public, participative, and reflective. Through UK and international networking and community building exercises this characterization of citizenship education has impacted on: curriculum policy discussions; classroom practice through the development of teaching materials; teacher educators including initial and in-service teacher education; and the work of professional organisations concerned with citizenship education in schools and beyond.

Summary of the impact

Impact generating research was produced by staff associated with the International Observatory on Statelessness (IOS): Brad Blitz, Rajith Lakshman; and Greg Constantine, a current Ph.D. student. The Observatory, previously at Kingston University, moved to Middlesex University in 2013. The impact stems from engagement with national governments, UN and public bodies regarding the development of humanitarian policy and protection of about 12 million stateless people world wide (UNHCR estimates). Evidence of impact includes statements by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her deputy; their drafting of a UN Human Rights Council Resolution; changes to UK immigration rules; statements by UNHCR's High Representative; US Supreme Court decision Ruben Flores-Villar vs. United States of America (0905801); and public awareness through award-winning photographic exhibitions, short films and books. Beneficiaries are potentially stateless people across the globe.

Summary of the impact

Through active engagement in policy processes, systems research at Lincoln produced a sustained change in governmental and third sector approaches to citizenship education and hence citizen participation. Translating and refining the initial concepts, a network of Third Sector organisations and universities (including the researchers) ran successful pilot projects to benefit more than 1,300 people. This led to the inclusion of the `Take Part' concept in three government White Papers. Pathways to impact were two national learning frameworks, an £8.7 million programme (2009-2011), and a £0.77m capacity building cluster (2008-2013). The programme reached over 18,000 people nationally, who became more effectively involved in local democracy.

Summary of the impact

Research at Kingston University into statelessness and gender discrimination in nationality laws established the significant and damaging effects attributable to these issues. Following the presentation of this research to the US State Department, the US government submitted a resolution to the United Nations on protecting the right to nationality of women and children, and ending legal discrimination against women in nationality laws, that drew substantially upon the research. This resolution was adopted by the UN, such that the change in UN policy in this area can be traced back to the research carried out at Kingston University.

Summary of the impact

Sustained research on citizenship issues by Professor David Archard and Dr Jeremy Watkins has:

• Provided the intellectual content for a Philosophy for Citizenship course which has been undertaken by hundreds of children in schools across Northern Ireland since its inception in January, 2012;
• Improved children's intellectual and interpersonal skills by promoting better quality reasoning, listening and oral communication;

and,

• Delivered a sustainable model of citizenship education that is particularly tailored to the needs of post-conflict societies and that has been embedded in a number of teacher training courses in Northern Ireland.

Summary of the impact

Dr Lister's pioneering research into people's perceptions of safety in relation to anti-terrorism measures has significantly shaped and informed public and political debate in this complex and controversial area. Lister has co-authored submissions to the Home Office, provided a policy briefing to the National Assembly for Wales, hosted a workshop with representatives from `think tanks' and government departments. Additionally, he has engaged with a variety of civil society/advocacy groups and published commentary (including by invitation) on this area of public policy. Lister has highlighted the negative experiences of a range of ethnic minority citizens, as well as demonstrating the merits of using evidence based research in a highly political and sensitive arena.

Summary of the impact

Research on the livelihoods of post-trafficked women in Nepal, co-produced with the women themselves, has produced three significant impacts by:

1. Informing and influencing policy debate and formation within Nepali government organisations and NGOs, and with international donors and agencies working in the region, on post-trafficking development challenges.
2. Building capacity amongst post-trafficked women to enhance their self-advocacy and influence as they secure their livelihoods and claim citizenship rights in Nepal.
3. Raising public awareness and changing conventional wisdom about post-trafficking livelihoods, locally and internationally, enabling women and their advocates to challenge their exclusion.