Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact
This empirical study explored how research can generate impacts by investigating different sorts of impacts from one academic field - mathematics - and the diverse mechanisms generating them. The multi-method study triangulated across: 1,2) content analysis of impact case studies and environment des...
| Egile Nagusiak: | , |
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| Formatua: | Journal article |
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Oxford University Press
2017
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| _version_ | 1826263943865171968 |
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| author | Meagher, L Martin, U |
| author_facet | Meagher, L Martin, U |
| author_sort | Meagher, L |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | This empirical study explored how research can generate impacts by investigating different sorts of impacts from one academic field - mathematics - and the diverse mechanisms generating them. The multi-method study triangulated across: 1,2) content analysis of impact case studies and environment descriptions submitted to the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment; 3,4) a survey and focus group of heads of mathematics departments; 5) semi-structured interviews. Mathematics has had a full range of impact types, particularly conceptual impacts, although more tangible instrumental impacts were prioritised for REF. Multiple mechanisms were utilised, but seldom appeared in REF case studies. Long-term relationship-building and interdisciplinarity are particularly important. Departmental culture and certain knowledge intermediaries can play pro-active roles. <br/> In sharp contrast to simplistic linear narratives, we suggest that appreciation of diverse impact types, multiple, often informal, mechanisms and dynamic environments will enhance the likelihood of meaningful impacts being generated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T19:59:55Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:26ea2ddb-b79d-4863-9652-c2f42af55ecd |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T19:59:55Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Oxford University Press |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:26ea2ddb-b79d-4863-9652-c2f42af55ecd2022-03-26T12:03:54ZSlightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impactJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:26ea2ddb-b79d-4863-9652-c2f42af55ecdSymplectic Elements at OxfordOxford University Press2017Meagher, LMartin, UThis empirical study explored how research can generate impacts by investigating different sorts of impacts from one academic field - mathematics - and the diverse mechanisms generating them. The multi-method study triangulated across: 1,2) content analysis of impact case studies and environment descriptions submitted to the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment; 3,4) a survey and focus group of heads of mathematics departments; 5) semi-structured interviews. Mathematics has had a full range of impact types, particularly conceptual impacts, although more tangible instrumental impacts were prioritised for REF. Multiple mechanisms were utilised, but seldom appeared in REF case studies. Long-term relationship-building and interdisciplinarity are particularly important. Departmental culture and certain knowledge intermediaries can play pro-active roles. <br/> In sharp contrast to simplistic linear narratives, we suggest that appreciation of diverse impact types, multiple, often informal, mechanisms and dynamic environments will enhance the likelihood of meaningful impacts being generated. |
| spellingShingle | Meagher, L Martin, U Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| title | Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| title_full | Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| title_fullStr | Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| title_full_unstemmed | Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| title_short | Slightly dirty maths: the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| title_sort | slightly dirty maths the richly textured mechanisms of impact |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT meagherl slightlydirtymathstherichlytexturedmechanismsofimpact AT martinu slightlydirtymathstherichlytexturedmechanismsofimpact |