Description
Book SynopsisThis insightful book explores the answers to two ongoing debates: how should societal impact of research be measured and to what extent are national research evaluation systems fit for purpose?
In exploring these two questions, the selection of expert contributors provide thought-provoking cross-European analysis and establish a comparative perspective on “impact” in the twenty-first century. Bringing together important national case studies from social sciences and humanities (SSH), Accountability in Academic Life provides a detailed insight into the complexities faced ensuring that publicly-funded research creates true value for society. Furthermore, leading SSH experts provide policy recommendations and insights to navigate the contemporary research landscape and improve research methods.
This book will be invaluable for scholars and students in science policy studies, providing both accessible stand-alone topics and greater in-depth discussions. Policymakers interested in the improvement of research evaluation leading to better scientific outcomes will also find this informative and illuminating.
Trade Review‘The evaluation of the societal impact of the Social Sciences and Humanities remains a challenging undertaking. This edited book compiles and compares different national experiences underscoring the variety of impact processes, and the different ways in which “impact” is defined, understood and assessed. Providing in-depth analyses that improves understanding and clear guidelines for the development and implementation of impact evaluation approaches this is a recommended read.’ -- Jordi Molas-Gallart, Director INGENIO, (CSIC-UPV), Spain
‘This fascinating book offers a timely analysis about how societal impact of social sciences/humanities research is evaluated in Europe. Historical and contemporary reflections are enhanced by critical accounts of how different countries assess and value societal impact in social science and humanities. A “must-read” for academics, policymakers and research administrators.’ -- Rosemary Deem, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
‘Accountability in Academic Life: European Perspectives on Societal Impact Evaluation gathers rich and insightful accounts of how social impact has been discussed and implemented in Europe. In combining a detailed analysis of specific national contexts with a broader historical, theoretical, and political discussion, the book offers unique insights into a key topic in contemporary research policy. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in social impact and the evaluation of research in the social sciences and humanities.’
-- Björn Hammarfelt, University of Borås, Sweden
Table of ContentsContents: 1 Accountability in academic life: introduction to European perspectives on societal impact evaluation 1 Michael Ochsner and Zoe Bulaitis PART I PERSPECTIVES AND POLICYMAKING: SUMMARISING SOCIETAL IMPACT EVALUATION PRACTICES IN EUROPE 2 Manifesto for a better societal impact evaluation 10 Michael Ochsner, Zoe Hope Bulaitis, Corina Balaban, Elena Castro-Martínez, Ondřej Daniel, Aldis Gedutis, Elea Giménez-Toledo, Marlène Iseli, Stefan de Jong, Lai Ma, Jorge Mañana-Rodríguez, Reeta Muhonen, Julia Olmos-Peñuela, Ginevra Peruginelli, Eiríkur Smári Sigurðarson, Karel Šima, Jack Spaapen and Marc Vanholsbeeck 3 The need for historical inquiry into societal impact evaluation: towards a genealogy of the notion of useful research 30 Aldis Gedutis, Zoe Hope Bulaitis and Michael Ochsner 4 Beyond the frame: hard-to-assess research–impact nexuses in the Social Sciences and the Humanities 51 Alis Oancea 5 Considering international contexts in societal impact evaluation and SSH: a perspective from EASSH 60 Gabi Lombardo PART II NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIETAL IMPACT EVALUATION PRACTICES 6 Engaged scientists or public intellectuals: the disputed public role of SSH researchers within the French Community of Belgium 67 Marc Vanholsbeeck 7 Societal impact evaluation in SSH in the Czech Republic: in defence against the strong STEM application discourse 81 Karel Šima and Ondřej Daniel 8 Evaluation of societal impact of the Social Sciences and Humanities in Finland 96 Reetta Muhonen, Laura Himanen and Janne Pölönen 9 From moral panic to accountability: societal impact, evaluations, and bibliometrics in Iceland 114 Eiríkur Smári Sigurðarson 10 Responsible societal impact (without) evaluation: reflections from Ireland 127 Lai Ma 11 The Italian path to the evaluation of the Third Mission 139 Andrea Bonaccorsi and Ginevra Peruginelli 12 The (SSH) impact discourses in Lithuania: blissful impactlessness versus imminent impact? 155 Aldis Gedutis and Kęstas Kirtiklis 13 Formative evaluation in the Netherlands: an opportunity for the arts, humanities and social sciences 173 Stefan de Jong and Jack Spaapen 14 SSH knowledge transfer and societal impact in Spain: from recognition at the individual level to institutional initiatives 187 Elea Giménez-Toledo, Elena Castro-Martínez, Julia Olmos-Penuela and Jorge Mañana-Rodríguez 15 Societal impact, innovation, or public value? Switzerland’s approach to research impact evaluation and the SSH 204 Michael Ochsner, Corina Balaban and Marlène Iseli 16 Impact, innovation and the public humanities: evaluating the societal impact of research in the United Kingdom 224 Zoe Hope Bulaitis Index
