25 March Programme

Mary Ogilvie Lecture Theatre

Plenary 

Between rising global tensions, the landscape of international research and aid has significantly changed. Hear from researchers, policymakers, and international organisations as they discuss how their work has had to adapt, how they navigate working with those with converging values, and how we can continue to deliver impact.  

Mary Ogilvie Lecture Theatre

Panel Discussion

• Larissa Allwork (University of Derby)
• Giulia Levi (University of Derby)
• Sarah Coy (University of Oxford)
• Jasmine Folz (University of Manchester)
• Ela Portnoy (UCL, University of London)
• Jennifer Reed (UCL, University of London)

This panel will explore how engagement with the social sciences contribute to, shape and strengthen interdisciplinary research, particularly in contexts where community engagement, trust and societal values are central. Drawing on projects in refugee-led community research, engineering biology, infectious disease modelling and technology-facilitated abuse, panellists will reflect on co-production methodologies, responsible research and innovation, and effective policy engagement. The session reflects on challenges of shared understanding, trust, power and institutional constraints when working across disciplinary and societal boundaries.

Tsuzuki Lecture Theatre

Panel Discussion

• Syahirah Abdul-Rahman (Oxford Brookes University)
• Jun Du (Aston University)
• Sammy Field (Oxford Brookes University)
• Halima Jibril (University of Warwick)
• Alexandra Lowe (Innovate UK)

The Innovation & Research Caucus (IRC)—a £7 million UKRI, Innovate UK and ESRC initiative—offers a distinctive model for embedding academic research within national innovation policy. Its approach centres on co-creation at every stage, with a strong core team and funded external researchers, to deep familiarity with UKRI systems, IRC leverages diverse expertise and shapes projects alongside UKRI stakeholders—jointly designing the scope, methods, and diffusion of outputs for real, measurable outcomes.

This panel brings together representatives from UKRI and IRC to give unique insights into building open, interdisciplinary cultures and working closely with policymakers to produce evidence that gets used. Attendees will take away practical lessons on the routes to impact forged by the IRC: how co-created research and genuine partnership steer investment decisions, set strategic priorities, and influence innovation practice across the UK. 

Seminar Room 7

Presentations and Discussion

• Angela Crack (University of Portsmouth)
• Velda Elliott (University of Oxford)
• Kerstin Hacker (University of Cambridge)

Bringing together projects from international development, education and creative practice, this session highlights how impact can be sustained and deepened when communities are treated not as beneficiaries but as co-producers of knowledge. Through examples ranging from long-term collaboration with international NGOs on language and trust, to iterative research and campaigning to reshape school literary canons, and decolonial creative practice in photography and visual storytelling, speakers will consider the challenges of evidencing and sustaining impact, the importance of unlearning dominant assumptions, and how social sciences can support more equitable, inclusive and globally responsible forms of knowledge production.

Seminar Room 8

Workshop

• Dan Barlow (Scottish Parliament)
• Sarah Morse (Senedd)

Dr Dan Barlow and Dr Sarah Morse are reaching the end of ESRC-funded roles which has seen them embedded in devolved legislatures to strengthen academic engagement to support policy scrutiny. Through a mix of short presentations, highlighting elements of devolved policy responsibilities, sharing of examples, and facilitated discussions/break-out groups, the session will explore routes for engaging with devolved legislatures, share, practice and discuss tips and ideas for supporting effective engagement and respond to questions from participants.

Mary Ogilvie Lecture Theatre

Presentations and Discussion

• Jacqueline Barnett (Oxford University Innovation)
• Alex Cole (Tin Ventures, Birmingham)
• Sarah Hayes (Bath Spa University)
• Christopher Moran (University of Warwick)
• Emma Roberts (University of Warwick)
• Oliver Walmsley (University of Warwick)

How can social science research contribute to innovation and commercialisation in ways that are inclusive, responsible and aligned with university values? This session examines commercialisation and inclusive innovation in the social sciences from three perspectives. First, an analysis of 373 university spin-outs identified in REF 2014 Impact Case Studies—including 32 from social sciences and humanities—investigates long-term company outcomes and whether factors such as discipline, institution, region or business model influence performance, with comparison to technological disciplines. Second, discussion of universities as architects, bridgers and catalysts considers community innovation hubs, cross-sector partnerships and civic engagement. Third, the session addresses challenges in supporting enterprising social science beyond spin-outs, exploring tools, strategies and responsible approaches to commercialisation consistent with university values.

Tsuzuki Lecture Theatre

Panel Discussion

• Isang Awah (University of Oxford)
• Noora Kanfash (University of Oxford)
• William Rudgard (University of Oxford)
• Natalia Szablewska (Open University)

This session explores how social science research can inform and influence policy in international and transnational settings, where decision-making processes are complex, fast-moving and highly political. Bringing together case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Asia-Pacific region and global policy forums, the session highlights how evidence is translated into action through multisectoral collaboration, strategic engagement and sustained relationships. Speakers will reflect on experiences of working with governments, international organisations, NGOs and funders to shape policy design, secure investment and advance justice and human rights.

Seminar Room 7

Presentations and Discussion

• Flora Hevesi (Central European University, Budapest)
• Flora Laszlo (Central European University, Budapest)
• Sara Ratner (University of Oxford)
• Paul Walley (Open University)

This session examines how stakeholder collaborations are built and sustained across different institutional and political contexts. It includes reflections from the first year of the AI in Education at Oxford University interdisciplinary hub, covering theoretical alignment and practical coordination. A second presentation draws on impact projects in healthcare, policing and AI to explore stakeholder management, including tensions between top-down coordination and co-creation. A third case considers Central European University’s Civic Engagement Center and its adaptation following relocation from Hungary to Vienna, highlighting how partnership-based activities evolved under political pressure and changing societal conditions.

Seminar Room 8

Presentations and Discussion

• Fay Benskin (University of Sheffield)
• Maria Teresa Ferazzoli (University of Sheffield)
• Rebecca Fisher (University of Oxford)
• Catherine Hamilton (University of Oxford)
• Robin Wilson (University of Oxford)

This session examines how creative methods support knowledge exchange and policy and practice impact. It showcases a range of creative outputs used to raise awareness of the challenges faced by unpaid carers, including a life-size board game, a co-produced video and a comic. A second presentation reflects on the use of song to support children’s oral foreign language development, highlighting the value of building and sustaining collaborations in the co-creation of research agendas and outputs. Lastly, the Oxford Kilns Project uses fire, clay and communal labour to engage communities, build partnerships, and share knowledge.

Tsuzuki Lecture Theatre

Deep Dive

• Jamie Lachman (University of Oxford)
• Isang Awah (University of Oxford)

Tsuzuki Lecture Theatre

Presentation and Discussion

• Agnieszka Całek (Jagiellonian University, Poland)
• Helen Innes (Cardiff University)
• Martin Innes (Cardiff University)
• Hannah Yelin (Oxford Brookes University)

This session examines challenges of engagement in digital environments shaped by AI, disinformation and online hostility. Presentations include a case study of “AI slope” in social media using the Auschwitz Museum, offering institutional and individual recommendations to address misinformation and protect historical memory. Members of the ESRC-funded IMITATE3 project reflect on information control, politicisation and restricted data flows affecting digital social science research. A third contribution draws on the Cultures of Digital Hate project to explore researchers’ experiences of abuse and misrepresentation, outlining guidance for universities to support safer public engagement.

Seminar Room 7

Presentation and Discussion

• Paul Baines (University of Leicester)
• Nichola Booth (Queen's University, Belfast)
• Gary Morris (University of Southampton)

This session examines university–business collaboration across climate action, accessibility and long-term partnership working. It includes GreenerFuture Leicestershire, a net zero advisory service for SMEs developed through an Innovate UK-funded project, exploring message design and engagement challenges. A second presentation highlights ‘Autism in the Air – Try Before You Fly’, an eleven-year collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast City Airport supporting autistic travellers through immersive airport experiences and online resources. A third contribution reflects on lessons from university–business collaborations, including partnerships with schools and the Army’s Educational and Training Services, examining processes that shape sustained, mutually beneficial impact.

Seminar Room 8

Presentation and Discussion

• Jennifer Dodsworth (University of Oxford)
• Amelia Farber (University of Oxford)
• Jessica Lorimer (University of Oxford)
• John Lynch (University of Oxford)
• Katrin Wilhelm (University of Oxford)

This session explores the Oxford Martin School’s Agile Initiative’s Sprint model and its application to urgent environmental and education policy questions. The first presentation introduces the Agile Initiative and the Sprint model, summarising the Sprint life cycle, and present early programme-level findings about the experiences of researchers, policy partners and practitioner collaborators in policy-focused research. The NetZeroEd Sprint project is the first of two case studies for this model, sharing learning and best practice from its establishment of a Youth Advisory, including principles of ethical engagement. Lastly, as examination of a 14-month NERC-funded Sprint on nature-based programmes and mental health in schools, detailing collaboration with the government Department for Education, teachers, students and policymakers.