Following our July webinar, Helen Duffy reflects on the key talking points - the challenges, complexities and ethical considerations in demonstrating the value of our work as researchers and why prioritising relationships and interrogating our assumptions is so important.
If you missed the webinar or would like a recap, you can watch the recording here
We're now in post-summer full swing. The summer is often touted as a time when the HE sector rests, but I'm not sure I fully agree. While our training delivery schedule might have been a little lighter, things were far from quiet at Casa de WCL. One of the projects that kept us busy was a webinar on evidencing impact in the arts and humanities.
The webinar sparked some interesting discussions about the complexities of evidencing engagement and impact and demonstrating the value of our work as researchers. The high level of interest in the topic was encouraging; I appreciated the opportunity to connect with colleagues and hear their perspectives, even with the added challenge of trying to fit everything into a one-hour session!
The conversation surrounding the ethical considerations involved in data collection and evidencing the impact of Arts & Humanities research particularly resonated with me. As someone who has always been passionate about social change and how the arts and culture can inspire and enrich our lives, I believe that demonstrating impact goes beyond mere measurement. It demands a mindful approach, a mindset that respects the complexities and nuances inherent in this space while still striving to capture its profound value.
The webinar was an opportunity to look back on my experience at the Arts and Humanities Research Council where I gained a deep appreciation for the wide-ranging impact that research in these disciplines can have. From projects shaping the ethical development of AI to those tackling the complexities of climate change, from initiatives promoting wellbeing to efforts preserving our cultural heritage, the arts and humanities are clearly contributing to positive change in a multitude of ways. Witnessing the potential of these disciplines to foster a more just and sustainable future was certainly a highlight of my time there.
However, the challenges we face in measuring this impact are real and significant. The instrumentalisation of the arts and research, the complexity and nuance inherent in our work, and the ethical considerations surrounding data collection and stakeholder engagement are just a few of the hurdles we must overcome. It's crucial that we resist the temptation to adopt a narrow view and instead embrace the complexity and richness that our disciplines offer.
The solutions we discussed, emphasising planning, relationships, engagement, and reflection, offer a path forward. By using tools like logic models and theories of change, while remaining mindful of their limitations, we can better articulate our research goals and map out the pathways to impact. But it's essential that we also prioritise relationships and engagement, centring the experiences of those we work with and ensuring that our evidence-gathering reflects the truly collaborative nature of our research.
One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of interrogating our own assumptions about how change happens and resisting the pressure to force our research into linear models. We must remain open to unexpected outcomes and embrace the non-linear trajectories that often characterise arts and humanities research.
I also found myself reflecting on the power dynamics inherent in research partnerships, particularly those with cultural sector partners. This an area that Becca and I are keen to explore more so watch this space about upcoming workshops on this theme.
If you missed the webinar or would like a recap, you can watch the recording here.
Comments