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Morality, Humanity and Narrative – the Impact of Rai Gaita’s Work

Summary of the impact

Rai Gaita's work brings a distinctive conception of good and evil to bear on a range of central and abiding moral questions. His work has shaped and changed the understanding of core moral and political issues by the general public in Australia and in other countries, and it has influenced the attitudes of policy makers and lawyers. Some of his books are on the reading list for the Higher School Certificate in Australia and have therefore had an immediate impact on the moral sensitivities of young Australians.

Not many contemporary moral philosophers have had such impact beyond the academic sphere. Why and how has Gaita achieved this impact? While academic philosophers tend to present their ideas in more technical form, Gaita's work crosses the boundaries between philosophical inquiry and literature. He brings philosophical issues to life by using the narrative form. For instance, his book Romulus, My Father, which uses biography to meditate on the human condition, has reached and influenced vast numbers of people. It was adapted into a film of the same title internationally released in 2007 and 2008. The inextricable connection between form and content in Gaita's work enables non-philosophical audiences to engage with, and respond to, his moral philosophy. In addition, his work has made a substantial contribution to the publishing and creative industries through the outstanding success of his books and related outputs.

Submitting Institution

King's College London

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Literary Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: History and Philosophy of Specific Fields, Philosophy

PHIL02 - Highlighting and advancing analytic methods in the philosophy of art

Summary of the impact

Impact arises from two books that have helped reshape and give new focus to the teaching of philosophy of art and, in particular, the philosophy of literature by giving wide acceptance to analytic methods and producing an alternative paradigm to previously dominant `continental' approaches to philosophy of literature and critical theory. The beneficiaries of this research were Higher Education Institutions involved in the teaching of literature, critical theory and philosophy. The books are having a significant impact on the way both these subjects are taught and conceived.

Submitting Institution

University of York

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies, Literary Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Philosophy

Philosophy and Public Affairs

Summary of the impact

St Andrews philosophers have brought their expertise into dialogue with professionals and members of the wider public, on matters of current concern. The impact has been created in three domains:

  • Impact on professional practice (Haldane's research on values, practical reasoning and punishment helps healthcare professionals make difficult decisions, and helps judges reflect upon ethical dilemmas);
  • Impact on Christian organisations and institutions (Haldane's research on the role of religion in education and in public life influences educators, campaigners, and policy-makers);
  • Impact on public debate about environmentalism and climate change (Mulgan's work on future generations and Scruton's research on environmental conservatism have played significant roles in public debate, in part mediated by Mulgan's introductory writings).

Submitting Institution

University of St Andrews

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies, Literary Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Philosophy

Spinoza Research Network

Summary of the impact

The Spinoza Research Network (SRN) contributed to public discourse through online presence, public lectures and radio interviews, with impact through increased understanding and awareness, and changes in behaviour. The project had impact on cultural life through engagement with artists and impact on their practice. The SRN was a 2-year AHRC-funded project for researchers in multiple disciplines working on Spinoza with non-academics. In 2008-10 SRN gained 200 members from over 16 countries. Membership is currently around 250. The outputs were an interactive website, two conferences, and an edited book, public speaking, a Facebook group, a reading group, and two radio interviews.

Submitting Institution

University of Dundee

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Literary Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Philosophy

Using philosophical research to improve teaching and learning in schools

Summary of the impact

This case study focuses upon the translation of academic research into the improved school teaching of philosophy. Since 2003, the Department has run an annual one-day national conference, free of charge, alternating between sixth-form teachers and pupils. The impact of these has been:

  • to enhance teachers' understanding of the relevant philosophical issues, and thereby to pass on this understanding to students;
  • to facilitate the production of teaching materials and other classroom resources; and
  • to provide a model for at least one other similar sort of conference.

Submitting Institution

University of Sussex

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Philosophy and Religious Studies: History and Philosophy of Specific Fields, Philosophy

History of Philosophy in the Public Sphere

Summary of the impact

Researchers in the history of philosophy at the University of St Andrews have brought their findings into public discourse both within Scotland and beyond. St Andrews philosophers have particular expertise in the tradition of Scottish philosophy, and in finding a place for that tradition in the Scotland of today. They also show the continuing vitality and relevance of the thought of major figures from beyond Scotland, such as Thomas Aquinas and Immanuel Kant. Through media outlets, continuing discussions with audiences outwith the academic world, and relationships with contemporary artists, philosophers at St Andrews are involved in on-going conversation with the larger community about what the philosophical tradition has to offer us in today's world.

Submitting Institution

University of St Andrews

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies, Literary Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Philosophy

Promoting Philosophical Literacy in Pedagogy and Public Health

Summary of the impact

The impacts of Hutchinson's and Crome's separate, yet closely interlinked bodies of research emerge from their shared commitment to the value of philosophical literacy. They have both argued that professional practice across the domains of Education and Public Health is subject to the effects of cognitive and conceptual frames, which Philosophy can help to identify, appraise and improve. Crome follows this strategic path in his work on pedagogy, which seeks to highlight the theoretical assumptions that support key elements of current teaching and learning policy. Hutchinson is pursuing a collaborative partnership with Public Health professionals concerning the correlation of shame, stigma and sexually transmitted infection (STI), for which Hutchinson's work on shame provides part of the conceptual and methodological rationale. The end users and beneficiaries of their shared promotion of philosophical literacy are professionals and patients in the healthcare sector and teachers and their students in education.

Submitting Institution

Manchester Metropolitan University

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy, Specialist Studies In Education

The Lyceum Project

Summary of the impact

The Lyceum Project is an original programme, introduced in 2012 and led by Vassilopoulou, disseminating and further developing departmental research in philosophical pedagogy with the aim to positively impact on children's wellbeing. Our distinctive methodology for teaching philosophy, applicable to both curricular and extra-curricular contexts, promotes self-reflection, creativity, rationality, and cultural engagement, all decisive factors in shaping children's self-understanding, experiences, values, and aspirations. This case study describes the programme's impact (February 2012 - July 2013) on children's wellbeing, by capturing changes effected in (a) subjective wellbeing indicators with respect to the national baseline, especially self-esteem and life satisfaction, and (b) objective wellbeing indicators, especially educational provision, policy, and practice. Beneficiaries include schoolchildren and families, teachers and museum educationalists.

Submitting Institution

University of Liverpool

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy, Specialist Studies In Education

Putting research on Presocratic Philosophy to work

Summary of the impact

Research on Presocratic philosophy by Catherine Rowett (formerly Osborne) has had impact on the wider public, both at home and abroad, in two key areas: (a) it has helped to satisfy the intellectual and cultural curiosity of people in the UK and beyond; and (b) it has extended public understanding of the potential risks and rewards of stock-market investments. Impact (a) is achieved (i) via public engagement, including publication and distribution of a book for the popular market, both in English and in translation, and via public lectures and talks, and (ii) by inspiring others to use the results in for example, radio broadcasting. Impact (b) is achieved by way of a guidebook for those new to investment in stocks and shares, underpinned by (among other things) Rowett's work on Presocratic Philosophy.

Submitting Institution

University of East Anglia

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

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

History of Philosophy without any Gaps Podcasts

Summary of the impact

The project makes accessible the history of philosophy `without any gaps' to a global audience. It capitalises on one of the Unit's research strengths, the history of philosophy, and brings this expertise to the general public maintaining a high level of intellectual rigour while making it accessible both intellectually and practically, thus maximizing reach. The public has access to the research through a series of podcasts (downloadable audio content) available on the project's website: www.historyofphilosophy.net, via software like iTunes. The podcasts are free to download and have been accessed more than 4 million times by thousands of listeners around the world. Because of their detail and format (often interviews) the podcasts convey advanced ideas and the fruits of recent research to this broad audience. The impact of the project lies in its ability to present our intellectual heritage in an accessible form, transforming the imaginations and sensibilities of individuals, enriching and expanding their lives and, given the nature of the topics discussed, informing and influencing their intellectual, cultural and personal development.

Submitting Institution

King's College London

Unit of Assessment

Philosophy

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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