COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Knowledge Exchange & Impact Committee (KEIC)
MINUTES
Meeting of Wednesday 23rd April 2013 from 14:00 to 15:30
Room G1, 55 George Square
1.
Present:
Louise Jackson (HCA) (Chair)
Ed Hollis, (ECA)
Peter Lamont (PPLS)
Nicola McEwen (SSPS)
Joanne Mair (Education) standing in for Nanette Mutrie
Deborah Ritchie (Health)
Stuart Sayer (Economics)
Hans Barstad (Divinity)
Simon Earp (Business)
Simon King (PPLS)
Jo Shaw (Dean of Research)
Anne Sofie Laegran, Co-convener (KE Office)
Emma Giles, Secretary (KE Office)
Apologies:
José Saval (LLC)
Graeme Laurie (Law)
Jolyon Mitchell (IASH)
Nanette Mutrie (Education)
Georgina Evans (KE Office)
Jacqueline McMahon (CHSS College Research Office)
Minutes from last meeting 23rd January 2013
It was highlighted that the name of the Committee has not yet been changed on the minutes.
The minutes were then approved pending this change.
2.
Knowledge Exchange in College plan 2013 – 2016
The paper, including the points to take forward the plan within the Committee next year was
accepted. Points to note from the discussion:
The University needs to ensure the staffing strategy is in line with aims in the KE field – from
appointments, career progression, work load model. There is a potential for the above to be
addressed through the investments in Fellowships – which may be to do KE work. There is also
on-going work to review the promotion process to ensure KE criteria are taken seriously
It was acknowledged that many of the targets set are proxies for engagement and impact, but it
is important to develop a vocabulary and measurable indicators in this area
Important KE committee members are active in discussing resources for KE support within and
across the Schools as the plan promises investment in this area, including web support.
3.
Academic involvement in the Edinburgh Festivals
Note for everyone to collect information on activities related to the festivals over the summer.
Information to go to Kathryn Dunlop in CAM by 15 May.
4.
Raising awareness of KE and impact – what works?
LJ opened a discussion about activities to raise awareness of KE in the schools. What works?
Points from the discussion:
 Health and Education have had success with interactive half day workshops
(programmes of both attached). KE office very happy to be involved in similar activities in
other schools.
 Events may work best when they are targeted to specific people easier to target people –
e.g. newcomers rather than blanket advert
 Need for both school-based (building communities) as well as college-based events
(informing).
 Community building events at College level too – showcase KE grant projects and other
successes? Over wine?
 Important we don’t focus only on getting grants for KE, or including KE in grant
applications but also about the process itself
 Develop webpage more -easily accessible, digestible information where you can steal
ideas, with reminders regularly
 Drop –in sessions at RKEO offices have worked in Education
 Beltane have suggested doing roadshow with a stand in public place, but it was agreed
that this would probably not work – events are better.
 Introduce a KE Prize to recognise achievement
 ECA are doing a publication featuring 10 projects on KE – will bring next meeting
 People are generally aware of the opportunities, they will only do more of it if it becomes
clear that it helps their promotion and that it is acknowledged in work load.
The KE office will take all these ideas forward in their planning next year and KE directors
agreed to consider what will work best in their Schools.
5.
Exchange Fellowship Review
ASL introduced the paper. It was agreed that the scheme has brought benefits to the people
involved. It was therefore agreed to continue the scheme.
It was also agreed that we need to raise the awareness of it more within the Schools, including
KE directors all of whom did not know about the scheme and the Fellows in their Schools. The
KE office will alert KE directors in Schools to any incoming requests as well as new Fellowships
awarded. We will also add the Fellows to the KE committee reports for information. Information
on Fellows are updated on http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/humanities-socsci/research-ke/using-our-research/exchangefellowshipscheme
6.
KEIC Meetings 2013 – 2014
The first meeting will take place 2nd or 9th October (to be confirmed shortly) and will have Head of
College visiting. Will also have Consultancy as one of the items with ERI represented.
It was agreed to alternate meetings across Schools.
7.
KE Office report and communications
The KE office report was noted. ASL informed about ESRC visit next day (25 April) and CPD
workshop to be held 4th June.
Minutes prepared by:
Anne Sofie Laegran/Emma Giles
May 2013