AHRC’s Peer Review College
Information on Knowledge Exchange for Peer Review College members
Background
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‘To strengthen the impact of Arts & Humanities research by encouraging researchers to disseminate and
transfer knowledge to other contexts where it makes a difference’
 ‘To raise the profile of arts and humanities research and be an effective advocate for its social, cultural
and economic significance’
AHRC Vision and Strategy 2007-2012
Strategic Aims 3 & 4
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Since it was established in 2005 the Arts and Humanities Research Council has been committed to ensuring
that the research it funds can be properly exploited and applied in areas where it can make a difference in a
variety of ways be it economically, socially or culturally.
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This was encouraged and achieved through dedicated Knowledge Transfer schemes such as Knowledge
Transfer Fellowships and Knowledge Catalyst (both now closed); sponsorship of Arts & Humanities based
projects in the TSB’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme; development of strategic KE
partnerships with BBC/British Telecom/Scottish Funding Council, a Follow-on Funding scheme and a
dedicated PG funding stream through the Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA)scheme which is now in its
ninth year. The emergence of the impact agenda and focus on accountability in higher education funding
added to the imperative that additional value must be derived from publicly funded research.
AHRC’s commitment to Knowledge Exchange
‘To deliver maximum benefits for society & the economy by leading the strategic stimulus of research &
knowledge exchange, supporting the creative economy to stimulate growth and by contributing to the
improvement of well-being & public services, especially in relation to communities’
AHRC Delivery Plan 2011-2015
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The above is one of the three key aims in the AHRC’s new delivery plan that puts KE, external engagement,
collaboration, partnership working, public and policy engagement and impact at the very heart of all that it
does.
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The AHRC has made a major investment of £20m fEC, over the next four years, with the establishment of
four ‘Knowledge Exchange Hubs for the Creative Economy’ that will be charged with building new
partnerships and entrepreneurial capacity in the Creative Economy and increasing the number of arts and
humanities researchers actively engaged in research-based knowledge exchange.
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This aim also represents a move towards KE becoming embedded across all funded research where it is no
longer viewed just as a stand alone activity or as something added on as an afterthought.
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Apart from the opportunities for KE & impact activity offered by Research Grants, KE is now a fully
recognised component of the new Fellowships scheme and is written in to the specifications of the AHRC’s
new themes and strategic priorities. There is also the expectation that PG Training stimulates KE and
interaction between PG research & non-academic agencies for all students. We have, and will continue to
have, the CDA scheme established in 2005 (AHRC’s first formal funding for KE activity) plus the new CDP
variant and BGP 2 will require that students have opportunities to work with other organisations, agencies
and businesses on the basis that they are training the researchers of tomorrow where in the 21st Century
collaboration and partnership is the norm rather than a niche activity.
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What is Knowledge Exchange?
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Knowledge Exchange can be defined as the processes by which new knowledge is co-produced through
interactions between academic and non-academic individuals and communities
- this includes innovation through applying existing knowledge to new contexts
- it assumes added value to both partners
-‘Transformative effect’ – it should make a difference
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Old definitions of knowledge/technology transfer which define a more linear or one-way ‘academic to
industry’ process are too restrictive and unsuitable for the complex and diverse landscape of knowledge
exchange and collaboration in the arts & humanities.
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The AHRC encourages a broad view of KE and recognises a wide range of interactions and also valued
outcomes that can be economic, commercial, social, cultural or educational.
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The AHRC does not restrict the range of non-academic sectors that may seek to exchange and apply
knowledge in this way, nor the methods by which such interactions may occur.
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KE is about co-production and co-design and includes innovation beyond the standard outputs such as
publications and websites or even exhibitions.
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Through involvement in a knowledge exchange project, project partners should see a transformative effect
in the way they carry out their business, whether that be to products, policy, processes or services, or to
skills, knowledge or understanding. It needs to make a difference.
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The AHRC has always encouraged the dissemination and communication of research beyond academia but
such interactions, particularly where a more passive approach is taken, are not in themselves Knowledge
Exchange activities though certain methods of active dissemination and engagement may form part of the
KE process and contribute to pathways to impact:
Public Engagement
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Public Engagement is an umbrella term for any activity that engages the public with research, from lectures
and debates, enactments and public performance to festivals, consultations, public dialogues and the cocreation of research.
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Public engagement reaps its greatest rewards to both researchers and the public when it involves two-way
aspects of listening and interaction, but can incorporate one-way flows of information such as media
engagement, lifelong learning and schools-based activities, which all serve to increase public understanding
of arts and humanities research.
Dissemination
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Dissemination refers to the processes by which knowledge that is generated through academic research is
made available to audiences beyond the immediate peer community.
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Methods of dissemination can be employed to maximise the accessibility of the research to non-academic
sectors and this may well lead to subsequent knowledge exchange interactions. In this way, active
dissemination may constitute part of the knowledge exchange process.
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What is Impact?
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The Research Councils describe impact as the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to
society and the economy. Impact embraces all the extremely diverse ways in which research-related
knowledge and skills benefit individuals, organisations and nations by:
-fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the UK
-increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy; and
-enhancing quality of life, health and creative output.
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Impact can mean the ‘influence’ of research or its ‘effect on’ an individual, a community, the development of
policy, or the creation of a new product or service. It relates to the effects of research on our economic,
social and cultural lives.
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There are a wide variety of pathways through which arts and humanities research can create value. For
example, arts and humanities create social and economic benefits directly and indirectly through
improvements in social and intellectual capital, social networking, community identity, learning and skills
and quality of life.
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In order to deliver impact researchers need to engage & collaborate with the public, with business and
commercial organisations, with public institutions, with government and with third sector organisations.
Knowledge Exchange therefore plays a vital role in achieving and delivering impact.
Further information about AHRC’s approach to impact is available at:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/What-We-Do/Strengthen-research-impact/Impact-assessment/Pages/default.aspx
Please also refer to the following documents:
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Impact Handout for Peer Review College Members
AHRC Research Funding Guide: sections five and seven have information on impact
Knowledge Exchange: why we do it?
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To strengthen the impact of arts and humanities research
To make a difference, economically, socially or culturally
To demonstrate the value of arts and humanities research
Knowledge Exchange: who we do it with?
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Business and commercial sectors, most commonly in the creative economy
Creative & Cultural industries
Museums, galleries and heritage sectors
Third sector organisations
Government & Public Policy organisations
Any business or organisation in any sector that can use or benefit from arts & humanities research, e.g.
– research that informs public policy and the enhancement of civil society
– research that informs exhibition or performance
– research that informs content for the print, film, digital and broadcasting media
– research than improves products, processes or services
– research that improves organisational performance or productivity
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Knowledge Exchange: What are the Benefits?
Benefits to Academics:
• Informs, enriches and improves the quality of research & teaching
• Gain new perspectives and challenge perceptions
• Better understanding of user needs
• Strengthens and expands networks and outreach
• Increases the scope of the project and can attract extra funding
• Gain evidence-based knowledge of current business or policy issues and assist in strategic change
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Enhances teaching and research skills, profile, press and media coverage
• Personal development – new skills & experiences
Consider:
• Knowledge Exchange, Collaboration, Enterprise, Partnerships, Innovation & External Engagement are all now
a recognised and integral part of the vision and strategy of most Research Organisations and are recognised
in the new REF formulation.
• KE is often part of existing working practices where there is a positive attitude towards the principles of KE
• Capitalise on external interest in academic research & communicate research more widely
• Opportunities to engage with a non-academic audience
• Projects can grow organically from the combination of shared interests and opportunity
• It can lead to further collaborations, partnerships and exchanges
• KE potential is therefore not static – it can take place at any stage in the research lifecycle.
Benefits to the Non-Academic Partner:
• Gain access to collaborative funding schemes
• Access to leading edge research and highest quality research experts & knowledge
• Gain access to innovative ideas, insights and new perspectives
• Enhance organisational creativity, performance and productivity
• New products, processes or services
• Access new audiences/customers/markets
• Increase turnover/sales/visitor numbers
• Solve important and strategic problems
• Find new ways of doing & understanding
• Gain understanding of the value of research
• Develop long lasting & beneficial partnerships
• Make a contribution towards the public good
Consider:
• The “Competitive Advantage” of Academic Research
– The “why” underpinning Impact
– Freedom to explore (not driven by RoI)
– Leading edge (i.e. Rare) expertise that is non-commoditised
– Freedom to iterate – can review and ‘try again’
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The Importance of collaborating
– 2-way benefits/exchange
– Innovation on both sides
– Not consultancy, not just dissemination
– Real commitment needed from project partners
– KE projects require time for organisation, application and project management
– Time vs. Payback – outcomes are worth the investment
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Overview of AHRC’s KE investments
Knowledge Exchange Hubs for the Creative Economy
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The four Hubs commenced operation in 2012 for a period of four years
They represent an investment of over £20m fEC
The lead institutions are:
– University of the West of England: Research and Enterprise in Arts and Creative Technologies ( REACT)
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Lancaster University: The Creative Exchange
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Queen Mary, University of London: Creativeworks London
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University of Dundee: Design in Action
KE Hubs will:
 respond to the research & skills needs of the Creative Economy(CE)
 build new partnerships and connect with leading business and creative SMEs
 develop KE best practice, embed and build capacity
 facilitate new collaborative research for the CE
 stimulate entrepreneurial capacity in the CE
 increase the number of arts & humanities researchers actively engaged in research-based KE
 develop a sustainable legacy
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Responsibility for peer review is devolved to the Hubs but PRC members may be invited by a Hub to
participate in this. Hubs are not using AHRC peer review structures but are asked to follow AHRC principles
and follow good standards/practice
 Further details about the Hubs can be found via the AHRC website:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/What-We-Do/Extend-engagement/Knowledge-Exchange-and-Partnerships/Pages/KEHubs-for-the-Creative-Economy.aspx
Creative Economy Knowledge Exchange Projects
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12 one-year projects which will run throughout 2013
Taking forward innovative knowledge exchange activities developed from a number of high quality proposals
to the call for Knowledge Exchange Hubs for the Creative Economy.
 Further details about the funded projects can be found via the AHRC website:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/What-We-Do/Extend-engagement/Knowledge-Exchange-andPartnerships/Pages/Creative-Economy-Knowledge-Exchange-Projects.aspx
Follow-on Funding for Impact and Engagement
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Follows a successful two –year pilot scheme which ended in November 2012.
Scheme supports activities that were unforeseen and arise during the lifespan of an award or from a
completed award:
 Knowledge exchange
 Public engagement
 Active dissemination
 Impact
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Commercialisation
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Must be based on AHRC or other Research Council Funded research, in AHRC subject remit
Innovation, creativity and engagement with new audiences are key criteria
Up to 12 months duration & £100k fEC
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It does not support pathways to impact activities already taken account of in the original award nor can it be
used simply to extend an existing grant or award, continue similar activities, support resource enhancement
or conduct further significant research.
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Peer reviewers are asked to consider the fit to scheme criteria and the quality and appropriateness of the
activities to deliver significant impacts as opposed to the academic quality of research. Please see Annex 1
for information on peer reviewing FoF applications.
Sponsorship of KTPs
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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are run by the Technology Strategy Board and projects are co-funded with
a range of bodies such as the Research Councils, devolved administrations and the some Govt. depts.
All administration is handled by the TSB
AHRC office considers relevant proposals and agrees funding ‘in principle’ or refuses
AHRC has co-funded around 60 projects since 2005
PRC members are not required for Peer Review.
Further information on KTP can be found at: http://www.ktponline.org.uk
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The TSB has published new funding criteria effective from April 2013 and the AHRC has refreshed its criteria
for sponsorship to align it more with its ambitions to support work in the creative economy.
Full details can be found at: http://www.ktponline.org.uk/sponsorship-criteria
Public Policy
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Fellowships aimed at early- career fellows to work with a government department or policy organisation
Policy Highlight in Research Networking scheme until December 2012
Commissioned Research
Policy Seminars
Training for researchers ( e.g. IfG Engaging with Government course)
Policy Roadshows ( in development)
Building and Sustaining Partnerships
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One off calls to deliver a programme of sustained knowledge exchange with a key partner
New and innovative models of supporting knowledge exchange
Tailored collaborative assessment process
PRC members may be called upon to provide reviews or be members of selection panels
Some examples:
• AHRC/BBC Knowledge Exchange Partnership
• AHRC/BT Research Networking
• AHRC/SFC Collaborative Partnership ‘A Healthier Scotland’
• AHRC/NESTA/ACE Digital R&D Fund for Arts & Culture
• AHRC/NESTA/Creative Scotland Digital R&D Fund for Arts & Culture
• Three new partnerships currently in development as at Feb 13
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Embedding Knowledge Exchange
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KE is no longer ‘restricted’ to dedicated schemes
KE focussed schemes are already predicated around impact and “making a difference”
Research Grants are already required to complete sections on beneficiaries and impact
Fellowships scheme and strategic theme calls actively encourage KE and collaborative activities
What does this mean for PRC members?
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The embedding of KE activities means a blurring of the distinction between an ‘academic’ reviewer and a
‘knowledge exchange’ reviewer
KE activities become a more frequent and integral part of what is being reviewed in a proposal.
PRC members will need to be able to recognise and understand the appropriateness of those activities
wherever and however they occur across all AHRC schemes and programmes.
Recognise KE activity can take place at any time in the research lifecycle and beyond
Understand distinction between KE and Impact - KE is a mechanism, an activity or group of activities that
lead to or contribute to impact
A proposal might demonstrate impact but does not involve KE in the sense of collaboration, co-design and
co-production of knowledge
Applies whether acting as a reviewer or member of a moderating or assessment panel.
Schemes & Programmes
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Research Grants/ Fellowships/ Research Networking/ Strategic Theme calls
- all members need ability to recognise KE activities both large & small scale, wherever they occur
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Follow-on Fund for Impact & Engagement/ CDAs
- reviewers/panels drawn from both academic and KE ‘groups’ though these KE focussed schemes may
sometimes require members with more KE experience
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Strategic KE Reviewers for Partnership programmes
- ad-hoc requirement for more highly experienced KE practitioners on PRC
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Encourage PRC members to identify and utilise their own experience/capabilities in KE
Reviewing Knowledge Exchange activities in a Grant proposal
Characteristics of Successful KE Projects
Evidence that the KE is based on high quality research with potential to make a difference
• Excellence of research is always first priority
• Are the KE activities rooted in the arts and humanities?
• Do the activities have potential to make a difference and provide excellent impact?
• Is the link between the research and the KE activity clear?
• Do the KE activities make sense or seem appropriate in the context of the research?
• Is this project coherent overall and the right vehicle for making a difference?
Significance of proposed project
• How important is this project?
• Are the beneficiaries clearly identified? Is the value to them understood?
• Have the applicants identified the most effective ways to make a difference?
• Is there an urgent timescale for this work?
• Consider links with value for money
• Ask yourself The “So what ?” question
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Solid foundation for partnership working
• How strong is any proposed partnership? Does it demonstrate a real desire to work together?
• How much commitment is there from the project partners?
• Do the project partners bring the right skills and resources to the project?
• Is the KE activity co-designed with user needs in mind?
• Are partners or users fully aware of working methods, timescales and proposed outputs?
• Is there evidence of co-creation, 2-way exchange and benefits?
• Are IP issues arising from KE activity addressed?
Feasibility
• Is the timetable realistic?
• Are the costs & resources for the activities realistic?
• Are the required resources available/in place?
• Are the applicants aware of any wider issues raised by the project?
• Are the proposed staff & participants appropriately qualified or experienced?
• Are any technical issues addressed?
• Are any contractual or partnership issues still to be addressed?
Value for money
• Costs for KE activities should be closely linked to outcomes and impact
• How much is the project partner contributing?
• Staff time is usually the biggest cost – is this appropriately planned?
• Are all costs adequately justified?
• Are there unnecessary costs?
Long-term impact and transformative effect
• What will the impact be?
• Will the project have a long-term effect? If not, it may not be real KE
• Is there buy-in from the partner or users to ensure a transformative effect?
• Do they have the absorptive capacity to implement it?
• What plans are there for broader dissemination (as appropriate)?
• are the outputs and benefits sustainable?
Measuring the results
• Have the applicants clearly outlined the outcomes?
• How do they plan to measure these?
• How long is needed to measure the impacts?
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Annex 1
What to look for in a Follow-on Funding for Impact and Engagement Proposal
Quality
Consider overall:
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Aims and objectives – Are they realistic given the resources and timetables specified? Are they suitable to
deliver the proposed outcomes/impact?
Context – is the complete research clearly identified and of direct relevance to the proposed follow-on
activities
Knowledge Exchange activities - Does the proposal constitute a well-defined programme of knowledge
exchange activity that is founded on completed, high-quality arts and humanities research?
Transformative effect – Does the research have the potential to have a transformative effect in either social,
cultural, policy and/or economic terms, beyond the world of academia? Will there be long-term impact on
the non-academic partner, audience or user community beyond the end of the formal project? Is there
evidence to support this?
Creativity, Innovation and Engagement - does the proposal demonstrate genuine creativity and innovation
in fostering new or potential pathways to impact? Is there a well-defined non-academic need for the work
and engagement with potential users and stakeholders in developing the project?
Aims of scheme
Does the proposal meet the aims:
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to support innovative and creative engagements with new audiences and user communities which
stimulate pathways to impact through knowledge exchange, public engagement, dissemination or
commercialisation activities that arise unforeseeably during the lifespan of or following an AHRC-funded
project.
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to encourage and facilitate a range of interactions and creative engagements between arts and humanities
research and a variety of user communities including business and commercial, third sector and heritage
sector, public policy, voluntary and community groups and the general public.
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that proposed activities should be creative and innovative, will strengthen the impact, value and benefit of
the original funded research project beyond academia, and clearly demonstrate how they will deliver
significant economic, social, cultural and/or policy impacts.
Types of activity supported by this scheme might include:
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Knowledge exchange, public engagement or active dissemination activities which engage new user
communities and audiences
Commercialisation or proof of concept
Activities that build upon knowledge exchange and impact pathways already undertaken
Conferences and seminars for a policy/practice audience
Pursuit and development of new user contacts
Feasibility studies to test the potential application of ideas emerging from the research in different business,
policy or practice contexts
NOTE: The Follow-on Funding scheme does not support pathway to impact activities already taken account
of in the original award nor can it be used simply to extend an existing grant or award, continue similar
activities, support resource enhancement activities, or conduct further significant research or produce
mainly academic outputs.
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People
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Consider the applicants experience of external engagement or knowledge exchange and understanding of
working with user communities or other audiences ( or their demonstrated potential to undertake these
activities) as relevant to the proposal
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Is the project feasible within the timeframe and resources available?
Collaboration & Partnership
consider the strength of the proposed collaboration or partnership, including:
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the appropriateness of the partnership and the capacity of the partners to undertake the work
the extent to which the commitment and active involvement of all project partners is evidenced
the extent to which partners demonstrate a shared understanding of their respective roles, responsibilities
and expectations – how they will work together to develop and deliver the aims of the project
the extent to which the project responds to a well-defined non-academic need and a joint or consultative
approach to its development
the extent to which the project delivers benefits to all partners and the likelihood of the collaboration
delivering the benefits as outlined
Outputs/Dissemination/Impact
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Please note that applicants to the Follow-on Funding Scheme are not required to complete the Academic
Beneficiaries section nor do they complete an Impact Plan.
From the information contained in the proposal and with particular reference to the Impact Summary consider:
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the potential for the proposed activities to enhance the value and impact of the base research
who will benefit, how and why does it matter?
the suitability and reach of engagement and dissemination activities
the level of engagement with existing and potential audiences or users and the extent to which their needs
have informed the development of the proposal
the potential for the transformative effect on user groups or within an organisational or policy context
the longer term sustainability of activities, pathways or potential impacts beyond the award period
Updated Feb 2013
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