How to Scale Engagement and Impact in Universities
Published on 18. July 2025
Book
Hardback
354 pages
978-1-0353-3742-2 (ISBN)
Description
Exploring a broad range of strategies, this book offers a nuanced understanding of how higher education (HE) institutions can meaningfully scale their engagement and real-world impact. It offers insights on fostering meaningful collaborations with both internal stakeholders and external partners, adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of academia. Using real-world case studies, it showcases innovative methods for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community involvement.
How to Scale Engagement and Impact in Universities presents diverse experiences, lessons learned, and successful approaches to engaging with both internal and external stakeholders beyond traditional teaching and research boundaries. It addresses the growing demand for universities to demonstrate their relevance and value to society, providing practical examples and reflections on overcoming challenges in engagement efforts. Renowned experts share their expertise on effective engagement practices and impactful initiatives, offering an in-depth understanding of the topic.
This innovative book provides valuable insights for university faculty members across a broad range of disciplines looking to enhance their engagement practices and better understand the impact of their work, as well as for PhD students and professionals preparing for careers in education. Leaders and decision-makers in higher education institutions and those involved in shaping educational policies will also find this a timely resource.
How to Scale Engagement and Impact in Universities presents diverse experiences, lessons learned, and successful approaches to engaging with both internal and external stakeholders beyond traditional teaching and research boundaries. It addresses the growing demand for universities to demonstrate their relevance and value to society, providing practical examples and reflections on overcoming challenges in engagement efforts. Renowned experts share their expertise on effective engagement practices and impactful initiatives, offering an in-depth understanding of the topic.
This innovative book provides valuable insights for university faculty members across a broad range of disciplines looking to enhance their engagement practices and better understand the impact of their work, as well as for PhD students and professionals preparing for careers in education. Leaders and decision-makers in higher education institutions and those involved in shaping educational policies will also find this a timely resource.
Reviews / Votes
'This edited volume is an important addition to books focusing on the role of universities in addressing societal challenges. In particular, the authors provide new approaches in thinking about university engagement. Highlighting the importance of universities' missions, cultures, and incentives, this collection provides university administrators with a hands-on approach to knowledge transfer and commercialization.' -- Shiri M. Breznitz, University of Toronto, Canada 'This book contributes to the growing literature on the purpose of academic scholarship and universities in our evolving global societies. The authors offer another perspective and practical examples on how to broaden influence beyond conventional teaching and research through engaging civic society, board members, the media and other external stakeholders. The book provides a valuable lens for scholars and institutional leaders shaping the future of higher education's role in addressing complex, global challenges.' -- Usha C. V. Haley, Wichita State University, USA 'This is a useful volume exploring how higher education institutions can meaningfully engage with policymakers, business and civil society. It is timely as universities consider how to become local anchor institutions as well as play a role on national and sometimes global platforms to help research achieve impact for public good.' -- Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of The British AcademyMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-3742-2 (9781035337422)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Syahirah Abdul-Rahman, Senior Lecturer and Co-investigator, Innovation and Research Caucus, Oxford Brookes University, Tim Vorley, Co-Director, Innovation and Research Caucus and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Lauren Tuckerman, Lecturer, University of Glasgow and Co-investigator, Innovation and Research Caucus, Oxford Brookes University and Nick Wilton, Dean, Oxford Brookes Business School, Oxford Brookes University, UK
Content
Contents
List of abbreviations viii
List of contributors x
1 Introduction to scaling engagement and impact in universities 1
Tim Vorley, Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Lauren Tuckerman and
Nick Wilton
2 Doing Public Engagement: exploring how to support and
scale engagement and impact through better strategy and
practice within HEIs 10
Helen Featherstone
3 Policy-led impact: engaging with the government science
system 20
Kathryn Oliver
4 From ad hoc to expert: the professionalisation of knowledge
exchange 33
Tamsin Mann
5 Engagement and impact: why, who, how, and what for?
Shifting landscapes and an accreditation perspective 44
Piet Naude
6 Demystifying the beast: accreditation as a force to propel
engagement and impact 56
Marine Condette and Tim Mescon
7 The role of intermediaries in social science-business
collaboration: a case study of Innovate UK Business Connect 71
Alexandra Jugureanu
8 The untapped potential of commercialisation of research out
of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the
Economy 82
Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Huw Vasey and Mel Knetsch
9 Scaling the impact of commercialisation of Social Science,
Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy through
the ARC Accelerator 92
Chris Fellingham
10 Changing the culture: the journey to embed public
engagement in HEIs 103
Sophie Duncan and Paul Manners
11 Academic leadership of engagement and impact 116
Martin Spring
12 The transformation of research culture in business and
management schools: collaboration platforms and the
co-design of research and innovation 126
Katy Mason and Jan Bebbington
13 Being an engaged business school 144
Jennie Shorley
14 Transforming advisory boards: from tick-box exercise to
visionary ambassadors 155
Sarah Hardcastle
15 Encouraging and enabling serious academics to become
'engaging': the 'Executive Education as a Catalyst' approach 168
Sarah Lethbridge
16 Human-centric leadership: engaging staff for high performance 178
Richard Courtney
17 Scaling engagement and impact through the mission of
teaching and learning 186
Nicolette Michels and Lindsay Williams
18 Student engagement: what, why and how? 203
Dinusha Weerawardane
19 It's getting critical! Can generating impact allow a more
radical approach? 214
Louise Ashley
20 Building an engaged and impactful network: learning from
the Productivity Insights Network 222
Kate Penney and Tim Vorley
21 Great impact expectations? Or an unexpected journey from
engagement to commercialisation in the Humanities 235
Nicola Banks
22 Supporting innovation through applied social science insights:
learnings from Innovation Caucus 246
Syahirah Abdul Rahman and Tim Vorley
23 Boundary organisations under pressure: experiences from an
intermediary serving marginalised entrepreneurs 257
Monder Ram and Shuai Qin
24 Scaling engagement and impact through the creation of spark:
lessons from Cardiff University's Social Science Park 266
Rick Delbridge and Sally O'Connor
25 Impactful academic departments: learning from REF leaders 276
Stephen Blakeley and Abigail Tazzyman
26 How do I engage with policymakers to inform and influence
policy? Insights from an academic perspective 287
Norin Arshed
27 Innovation networks: an examination of university-business
partnerships 300
Kieran Fernandes and Stephanie Scott
28 Scaling from the local: methods and practices for achieving
wider impact from civic partnership collaborations 313
Abigail Taylor
29 Conclusion 327
Lauren Tuckerman, Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Tim Vorley and
Nick Wilton
List of abbreviations viii
List of contributors x
1 Introduction to scaling engagement and impact in universities 1
Tim Vorley, Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Lauren Tuckerman and
Nick Wilton
2 Doing Public Engagement: exploring how to support and
scale engagement and impact through better strategy and
practice within HEIs 10
Helen Featherstone
3 Policy-led impact: engaging with the government science
system 20
Kathryn Oliver
4 From ad hoc to expert: the professionalisation of knowledge
exchange 33
Tamsin Mann
5 Engagement and impact: why, who, how, and what for?
Shifting landscapes and an accreditation perspective 44
Piet Naude
6 Demystifying the beast: accreditation as a force to propel
engagement and impact 56
Marine Condette and Tim Mescon
7 The role of intermediaries in social science-business
collaboration: a case study of Innovate UK Business Connect 71
Alexandra Jugureanu
8 The untapped potential of commercialisation of research out
of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the
Economy 82
Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Huw Vasey and Mel Knetsch
9 Scaling the impact of commercialisation of Social Science,
Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy through
the ARC Accelerator 92
Chris Fellingham
10 Changing the culture: the journey to embed public
engagement in HEIs 103
Sophie Duncan and Paul Manners
11 Academic leadership of engagement and impact 116
Martin Spring
12 The transformation of research culture in business and
management schools: collaboration platforms and the
co-design of research and innovation 126
Katy Mason and Jan Bebbington
13 Being an engaged business school 144
Jennie Shorley
14 Transforming advisory boards: from tick-box exercise to
visionary ambassadors 155
Sarah Hardcastle
15 Encouraging and enabling serious academics to become
'engaging': the 'Executive Education as a Catalyst' approach 168
Sarah Lethbridge
16 Human-centric leadership: engaging staff for high performance 178
Richard Courtney
17 Scaling engagement and impact through the mission of
teaching and learning 186
Nicolette Michels and Lindsay Williams
18 Student engagement: what, why and how? 203
Dinusha Weerawardane
19 It's getting critical! Can generating impact allow a more
radical approach? 214
Louise Ashley
20 Building an engaged and impactful network: learning from
the Productivity Insights Network 222
Kate Penney and Tim Vorley
21 Great impact expectations? Or an unexpected journey from
engagement to commercialisation in the Humanities 235
Nicola Banks
22 Supporting innovation through applied social science insights:
learnings from Innovation Caucus 246
Syahirah Abdul Rahman and Tim Vorley
23 Boundary organisations under pressure: experiences from an
intermediary serving marginalised entrepreneurs 257
Monder Ram and Shuai Qin
24 Scaling engagement and impact through the creation of spark:
lessons from Cardiff University's Social Science Park 266
Rick Delbridge and Sally O'Connor
25 Impactful academic departments: learning from REF leaders 276
Stephen Blakeley and Abigail Tazzyman
26 How do I engage with policymakers to inform and influence
policy? Insights from an academic perspective 287
Norin Arshed
27 Innovation networks: an examination of university-business
partnerships 300
Kieran Fernandes and Stephanie Scott
28 Scaling from the local: methods and practices for achieving
wider impact from civic partnership collaborations 313
Abigail Taylor
29 Conclusion 327
Lauren Tuckerman, Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Tim Vorley and
Nick Wilton