Understanding from participatory performance and audience research on how to invite meaningful collaboration, how to support a range of different participation options, and how to capture experiences can significantly enhance research impact strategies across a range of disciplines. Good practice from participatory performance can also significantly enhance the accessibility and openness of engagement and impact approaches.

I am the lead impact expert at Bath Spa University (BSU) and support researchers to meaningfully embed participatory strategies within their research project as well as designing innovative evaluation approaches. I also lead on the development of Impact Case Studies for REF2029.

I am the Co-Investigator on BSU’s Arts and Humanities Research Council Impact Accelerator Account (£600k, 2022-2027). This devolved funding award allows us to develop Bath Spa’s impact culture and support engaged and impactful research projects. I co-ordinate internal funding calls, lead the development of postdoctoral projects, advise researchers on evaluation techniques, and carry out research that highlights the innovative nature of Arts and Humanities led impact and engagement practices (building on my expertise in participation).

The IAA projects I am currently working on include:  

• developing more accessible invites for research participation

• exploring how creative practice research can improve policy development and processes

• looking at creative strategies for the evaluation of research impact.  

I am also developing impact training that uses skills and expertise from participatory performance practices to support researchers to think through how they might embed impact in their research projects.

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