CELEBRATING IMPACT PRIZE 2015
ensuring that social benefits and impact are considered at the design stage of future investments. And, by close collaboration and knowledge sharing among the wider social housing sector, she is working to explain the value of a ‘social impact’ approach to other organisations and policymakers.
Runner-up: Dr Oliver Owen, University of Oxford Dr Oliver Owen’s study is providing unique evidence for reforms aimed at improving performance, effectiveness and accountability within Nigeria’s Police Force. By working closely with over 130 police officers based in north-central Nigeria, Dr Owen explored the world of policing from the officers’ points of view, gaining insights into the potential for reforms. Reforms advocated by Dr Owen are already being
implemented and he has been invited to participate in future implementation of reforms. In addition, the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force has based a review on Dr Oliver Owen’s report into policing, asking national heads of departments to make written responses on its recommendations.
Outstanding Impact in Business
Winners: Professor Colin Mason, University of Glasgow and Professor Richard Harrison, University of Edinburgh Research by Professors Colin Mason and Richard Harrison over the past 25 years has played a crucial role in stimulating business angel investment worth £750 million a year in the UK. Their initial study published in 1990 was the first to identify business angels, who are typically wealthy individuals with an eye for investment, as a key source of finance for new and growing ventures. The research team influenced new policy measures
to increase the supply of angel finance, notably though tax incentives and the establishment of ‘business angel networks’. Their research also highlighted a lack of ‘investment readiness’ among many of the businesses seeking finance, which led to the creation of an Investment Readiness programme in 2001.
Dr Jane Dyson, University of Oxford
Outstanding International Impact Winner: Dr Jane Dyson, University of Oxford For over 12 years, Dr Jane Dyson has been conducting research in north India on young people, education, and unemployment. Now, her unique documentary on the challenges facing young people in the Indian Himalayas is reaching school children, students and policymakers worldwide. The film ‘Lifelines’ and the accompanying teaching pack now feature on the Welsh National Curriculum and are used in several universities in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. As well as providing a valuable teaching resource and
being selected for several international film festivals, the film has inspired government officials in the region to tackle youth issues and change their thinking on education and unemployment. Lifelines has also inspired a US business entrepreneur to commit funding for a new educational non-governmental organisation in the village of Bemni.
Runner-up: Professor Ian Scoones, University of Sussex In 2000, President Mugabe forcibly removed many of the 4,500 white owners of Zimbabwe’s farms from their land. It was fully expected that the handover of these farms would devastate Zimbabwean agriculture, but research led by Professor Ian Scoones offers some surprising insights into the consequences of the radical land reform. Professor Scoones’ research has changed the terms
of debate, encouraged an evidence-based appraisal of the land reform and inspired a wider public and policy debate – notably through the weekly blog Zimbabweland. He has also inspired a new cohort of researchers, both in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Southern Africa, where the inheritances of colonialism and apartheid have meant that the challenge of redistributive land reform remains high on the political agenda.
(l-r) Professor Colin Mason, Professor Richard Harrison and Dr Alan Gillespie, ESRC Chair
Outstanding Impact in Public Policy Winner: Dr Aisha K Gill, University of Roehampton Dr Aisha Gill’s pioneering research on violence against women has helped to shape local, national and international policy on the issues of forced marriage
2 Society Now CELEBRATING IMPACT
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