ESRC announces finalists for prestigious Celebrating Impact Prize

1 May 2019 02:35 PM

ESRC is pleased to announce the finalists for the Celebrating Impact Prize 2019. 

The ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize, now in its seventh year, is an annual opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of ESRC-funded researchers in achieving and enabling outstanding economic or social impact from excellent social science research. 

Entrants' applications were reviewed by academics, engagement and knowledge exchange experts and research users, and shortlisted applicants were invited to an interview, along with non-academic supporters who helped describe the impact of the work. All finalists have been invited to an awards ceremony at the Royal Society in London on 9 July 2019 where the winners will be announced. 

The finalists are: 

• Professor Louise Archer, Dr Julie Moote, Emily Macleod, Dr Jennifer DeWitt and Professor Becky Francis (UCL)
  Improving equity in science participation: impact of the ASPIRES and ASPIRES2 research
• Professor Nic Cheeseman, Dr Susan Dodsworth (University of Birmingham), Professor Justin Willis (University of Durham) and Professor Gabrielle Lynch (University of Warwick)
  Strengthening elections and accountability in new democracies
• Dr Chloe Holloway (University of Nottingham)
  Improving the support of autistic individuals detained in police custody
• Professor Steve Martin, Dan Bristow and Professor James Downe (Cardiff University; Wales Centre for Public Policy)
  Enabling ministers to access and apply evidence that improves policy decisions and delivery
• Professor Susan McVie and Professor Lesley McAra (University of Edinburgh)
  Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime: increasing the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland
• Dr Shona Minson (University of Oxford)
  Delivering guidance on the sentencing of mothers: safeguarding children's rights and wellbeing
• Professor Kate Reed, Dr Elspeth Whitby (University of Sheffield) and Dr Julie Ellis (University of Huddersfield)
  Challenging taboos and changing practice: the case of baby-loss and post-mortem

ESRC Executive Chair, Professor Jennifer Rubin said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for social scientists to be recognised for the impact their work makes. Previous winners have produced excellent work across a breadth of topics."

All finalists will have a film professionally made about their work and its impact, and winners are awarded £10,000 to spend on further knowledge exchange, public engagement or other communications activities.

Notes for editors

1. Finalists cover the following categories: 
   • Outstanding Public Policy Impact
   • Outstanding Societal Impact
   • Outstanding International Impact
   • Outstanding Early Career Impact (in partnership with SAGE publishing)
2. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
3. The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of research on the social and economic questions facing us today. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and also funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policymakers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.
4. UK Research and Innovation is a new body which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish. We aim to maximise the contribution of each of our component parts, working individually and collectively. We work with our many partners to benefit everyone through knowledge, talent and ideas.
5. Operating across the whole of the UK with a combined budget of more than £6 billion, UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.
6. Sara Miller McCune founded SAGE Publishing in 1965 to support the dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community. SAGE is a leading international provider of innovative, high-quality content publishing more than 950 journals and over 800 new books each year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. Our growing selection of library products includes archives, data, case studies and video. SAGE remains majority owned by our founder and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company’s continued independence. Principal offices are located in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC and Melbourne.