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Lisbon and its Jewish refugees: Engaging Portugal with its World War II history

Summary of the impact

UCL research improved public understanding in Portugal of the important role that Lisbon played in WWII as an `open city' where both sides in the war operated. In particular, it showed and publicised the city's role as an exit point for thousands of refugees (mainly Jewish) trying to escape German-occupied Europe and get to North America or Palestine. This was achieved through a best-selling publication and a photographic exhibition in Lisbon attended by 10-14,000 visitors. Both were widely reviewed as providing important insights supported by research into previously unpublished archives.

Submitting Institution

University College London

Unit of Assessment

Theology and Religious Studies

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

Simms

Summary of the impact

This research, on (i) Britain's refusal to intervene militarily in Bosnia between 1992 and 1995 and (ii) the history of humanitarian interventions in general, has received considerable attention from policy makers and attentive publics. It has contributed to the questioning in British political circles of the `conservative pessimism' which in the past often led to an unwillingness to act over humanitarian disasters. It has also contributed to the wider emergence of the norm of a `responsibility to protect', whereby governments qualify the classical presumption of non-intervention with a degree of commitment to protect a people when it is under attack from its own government.

Submitting Institution

University of Cambridge

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science
History and Archaeology: Historical 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

Britain at the End of Empire

Summary of the impact

This study focuses on the impact of the controversial and polemical research of Professor John Newsinger, whose popular multi-layered Marxist approach to modern British political history has provided an intellectual framework that has served to inform sceptical Leftist public discourse and enhance public understanding in Britain and beyond. Professor Newsinger's framework exposes the violence that exists at the heart of empires and challenges triumphal readings of 20th century British history. His work has had a wide range of political, economic, societal and educational impact.

Submitting Institution

Bath Spa University

Unit of Assessment

History

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Law and Legal Studies: Other Law and Legal Studies
Language, Communication and Culture: Literary Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

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

Uncovering Evidence of Torture and Abuse during the Mau Mau Emergency in Colonial Kenya

Summary of the impact

The Mau Mau Emergency at the end of empire in Kenya saw atrocities on all sides and extensive torture under the British administration. Professor Anderson's historical research, uncovering much of this story for the first time, contributed vital evidence to a High Court case in which victims of colonial torture won recognition, a formal apology, and damages from the British government. This research has prompted widespread public debate over both historical and contemporary controversies in Kenya and the UK.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Area Studies

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Law and Legal Studies: Law
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

Using History to inform Armed Forces policy and training

Summary of the impact

Research by staff in the Centre for War Studies at the University of Birmingham, has informed continuing professional development (CPD) and training in the Armed Forces in the UK and overseas. This includes the design and delivery of training, study tours and materials for chaplains and NATO senior officers. Additionally academics have facilitated access to research to stimulate policy debate in the Armed Forces through invited presentations to professional conferences, and nationally and internationally by informing the content of Select Committee expert evidence.

Submitting Institution

University of Birmingham

Unit of Assessment

History

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

The Big Picture Show: Depictions of Truce at the Imperial War Museum

Summary of the impact

The Build the Truce (BTT) project, undertaken at the University of Manchester (UoM), considers the challenges involved in establishing and maintaining a truce during times of conflict. Findings from the research provided the basis for two innovative exhibitions, co-funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). First, an interactive multimedia display at the Imperial War Museum London (IWML), included as an official part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Second, a Big Picture Show (BPS); part of the rolling programme at the Imperial War Museum North (IWMN). Together these exhibitions, associated public engagement activities and workshops, have both challenged and altered public perceptions of truce, as well as offering a valuable example of how complex and controversial topics can be presented within a museum setting.

Submitting Institution

University of Manchester

Unit of Assessment

Anthropology and Development Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services
Studies In Human Society: Political Science, Other Studies In Human Society

Political and Psychological Responses to Violence and Conflict

Summary of the impact

This case study demonstrates how psychological and political science research has been utilised to inform policy and practice responses to violence and conflict. Work with the Forgiveness Project has utilised social-psychological research to develop the Forgiveness Toolbox. This is designed to assist key stakeholders, victims, perpetrators and civil society organisations in dealing with the psychological consequences of violence and conflict. The political consequences of violence and conflict were addressed, for example, through our collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Bosnia, which resulted in new material for their work on state and welfare reform.

Submitting Institution

Canterbury Christ Church University

Unit of Assessment

Politics and International Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Political Science, Sociology

Influencing Constitutional Affairs and Governance

Summary of the impact

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'.

Submitting Institution

Queen Mary, University of London

Unit of Assessment

History

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Political Science
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

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