Societal Impact : Co-Creation & Engagement Center der Universität Hamburg : University of Hamburg

Colourful, snake-shaped patterns against a silver background

Photo: Claudia Mendes

Research and collaborations are increasingly expected to generate and demonstrate “societal impact”. However, this comes with dilemmas such as establishing causality, navigating divergent temporalities and dealing with or accounting for unintended effects. We support researchers in this area of tension with an impact-oriented, reflexive approach: from co-creative practices that locate impact orientation within the research process itself, to methods for planning, supporting or communicating SI, to fostering exchange of good practices.

Activities related to Societal Impact

Societal Impact Stories

Societal Impact Stories provide accessible narratives for third parties, thereby enhancing legitimacy. Furthermore, they can serve as inspiration for one’s own (transdisciplinary) research efforts.

List with different questions in different colours, "What? Where? Why there? With whom? Why with them? Why with them? When? Why exactly then? How? Why like this? With what effects?" And the heading ‘Societal Impact Story’

Photo: Claudia Mendes

Symposium ‚Politics of Impact‘

The symposium joined interdisciplinary experts from academia, museums and industry to explore how existing institutional practices, emerging participatory approaches and the growing concern for creating impact relate to, require and reshape each other.

Participants at the Politics of Impact symposium sit at different tables and listen to the moderator

Photo: Ursula Caser

Knowledge Exchange for Societal Impact

The Team Co-Creation & Engagement is a member of the professional network 'Knowledge Exchange for Societal Impact’, a practice-based reading group for knowledge exchange between knowledge brokers at university-based impact centers across geographical contexts.

Logos of various universities, Michigan State University, University of California, University of Copenhagen, Standford University, Stellebosch University, Politechnico Milano, University of Hamburg

Photo: Ursula Caser

Ressources

There is a growing repertoire of tools and methodological approaches to facilitate the planning, implementation, and documentation of social impact. Here, you will find some examples for inspiration.

Books on a shelf, a cup with pens next to it, a red bag with big letters hanging in front of it

Photo: Ursula Caser