Impact & the Humanities:Perspectives from HERA

(Humanities in the European Research Area)

Sean Ryder

QUB, 9 June 2015

• HERA (Humanities in the European Research Area): a partnership among 23 national humanities-funding Research Councils across Europe, plus the European Science Foundation. AHRC and IRC are members.

• Funded by agreed contributions from all partners, plus top-up from Horizon 2020 ERA-NET Co-fund scheme

• Three trans-national humanities joint research programmes (JRPs): 2010-2013 “Cultural Dynamics” and “Humanities as Source of

Creativity & Innovation” [19 projects] 2013-2016 “Cultural Encounters” [18 projects] 2016-2019 “Uses of the Past” [20+ projects]

What is HERA?

1. Research excellence [3/5 threshold]:

sound concept and quality of objectives

progress beyond the state-of-the-art

quality and effectiveness of the methodology and workplan

 2. Potential Impact [3/5 threshold]:

relevance to the Call for Proposals

extent to which research outcomes are likely to be of value for non-academic stakeholders and user communities

appropriateness of measures for the dissemination and/or exploitation of project results, and management of intellectual property

 3. Quality and efficiency of the implementation and management: [3/5]

Evaluation criteria for HERA grants

From HERA application guidelines for “Uses of the Past” call:

“Knowledge exchange and transfer activities are a crucial dimension to any proposed research project. In addition to the networking that takes place among academic partners and broader dissemination activities aimed at wider academic audiences, projects are also expected to develop links with stakeholders outside the academy in order to maximise the societal benefit of the research. For example, collaborations may include the creative, cultural and heritage sectors, broadcasters, museums, galleries, business, industry, the public sector, voluntary, community and charitable organisations, policy makers and practitioners (e.g. in the creative and performing arts). Collaborations should be meaningful for all partners involved and enable joint learning throughout the duration of the project and beyond. Public engagement activities may also be included, where appropriate, to promote a wide understanding of the nature and impact of ‘uses of the past.’”

Impact guidelines in HERA

HERAVALUE:

Research into debates and practices relating evaluation of humanities research. Case studies: Norway, Ireland, Netherlands. Special attention to public and political perceptions of humanities value. Findings draw attention to innovative capacities that are not simply measurable in economic terms.

Some HERA project “impacts”

CULTIVATE (Copyrighting Creativity):

Findings led to radical change to music rights policy for Performing Rights Society of Iceland.

Some HERA project “impacts”

PhotoCLEC (Photographs, Colonial Legacy and Museums in Contemporary European Culture): 18,000 users of website; exhibitions in three major international museums.

Some HERA project “impacts”

ELMCIP (Electronic Literature as a Model of Creatiity and Innovation in Practice): Built an infrastructure used by academics as well as creative practicitioners; integrated and enabled new digital work as direct result of project.

Some HERA project “impacts”

CinBA (Creativity and Craft Production in Middle and Late Bronze Age Europe): collaborations among archaeologists, anthropologists, museums, craft workers.

• Developments in decorative motifs, techniques and skill pottery, bronze andtextiles

• Impact of these objects as a source of inspiration for artists and others

Some HERA project “impacts”

• Building transnational communities of researchers, linked with creative or cultural practitioners, NGOs, etc.

• Public exhibitions and collaborations with cultural institutions

• Policy influence (copyright law, language policy, etc.)

• Performances, media and broadcasting events

• Educational innovations (esp. for second-level and public)

• Industrial links: design, music, fashion, ICT

• Building and testing collaboration models between academia and industry, academia and public, etc.

Typical “impacts” self-defined by projects

• Impact is a subject for exploration and research in HERA, not just a “given”

• Basic assumption is that “impact” for humanities research is complex and requires sophisticated analysis

• “Impact statement” at start of project is mainly a statement of ambition and possibility; major impacts after 3 years or after 10 years may prove different, unforeseen – that’s OK!

• No formal metrics for measuring impact in HERA; however, projects report on impact and are advised on impact during project

• Current evaluation of HERA JRP 1 (2010-2013) will elicit views of project leaders on the value and nature of impact

“Impact” follow-up

• HERA view is that impact is not an adequate proxy for project value, but rather a complex contributor to value

• Many HERA projects saw impact planning positively; not as artificial add-on but as valuable dimension to overall research cycle; a source of utility, affirmation, new ideas, inspiration and building of new relationships

• Measuring and recording impact requires significant labour

• “Impact” needs to be defined in open and flexible ways, in partnership with researchers and stakeholders

Conclusions

• “Impact” definition connected to “Innovation Union” and new Juncker investment plan (€2bn diverted from H2020)

• Research as mode of delivering innovation, competitiveness, employment, growth, co-creation

• Risk of narrowly instrumental approaches to cultural heritage; value of culture and creative arts only as source of economic exploitation, esp. driven by ICT

• Other SC6 priorities with humanities potential include: migration, radicalisation, youth employment, governance

• Major challenge for humanities: to influence prevailing assumptions and discourses about function of research

Impact in Horizon 2020