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The Societal Impact of CRPL Research

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By Professor Seán McLoughlin, Leeds TRS REF2021 Unit of Assessment Leader

The results of the UK’s latest Research Excellence Framework (REF), which covers the period 2014-20, were published recently. The REF is the system for assessing the quality and impact of research conducted in UK higher education, as well as the environment that supports this. Overall, 91% of the research submitted by the University of Leeds to the Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) Unit of Assessment (UoA) was graded either “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.

The Centre for Religion and Public Life (CRPL) at Leeds is especially proud that two case studies of research impact, forming 25% of the submission, focused on important aspects of religion and public life. Both, notably, are concerned with a longstanding area of expertise at Leeds TRS going back to the 1970s and 1980s: minority ethnic religious communities and diasporas. Both case studies were judged to demonstrate impacts which were “outstanding” or “very considerable” in terms of reach and significance.

Jasjit Singh’s research has been central to re-framing the terms of public debate and understanding – regionally, nationally and internationally – regarding Sikh activism in the UK and beyond. He provided new historical narratives and analyses shaping policy and practice relating to Sikhs at various levels of governance in the UK. Jas’s research also re-framed media debate and understandings of ‘Sikh extremism’ in the UK, India and Canada, as well as empowering Sikh communities and organisations by providing prominent open access resources and facilitating open dialogue community events. (Read the project report here, and watch this video.)

In a period of significant restructuring in the global Muslim pilgrimage industry, Seán McLoughlin published the first in-depth report describing and analysing burgeoning UK Hajj markets and their governance. Collaborating with key pilgrim welfare and trade organisations, Seán’s research ‘established the facts’ about the sector, meeting a core objective of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hajj & Umrah. He engaged key stakeholders in consultations, both supporting travel agents to professionalise and empowering Hajjis in Britain and beyond with more transparent, ‘pilgrim-centred’ information. (Read more about this on the project website.)

Photo credit: research consultant, Wahida Shaffi

Both our case studies reflect research that deepens strategic research relationships with minority ethnic religious communities and diasporas, as well as government, media and NGOs, to effect significant cultural and policy changes. Bringing minority organisations together with other relevant stakeholders through research creates a space allowing all parties to benefit.

Yet Leeds’ longstanding research on minority religions in the UK also presents specific challenges for demonstrating societal impact. The institutional frameworks for dissemination, consultation and representation vis-à-vis the relevant beneficiary groups are often less visible and less securely developed than for established faith groups and other societal institutions.

We have met this challenge by sustained engagement and relationship-building over several years – supported by School and University funding as well as external grants. Both case studies demonstrate the value of contributing to community development through the research process itself, reflecting the CRPL’s and TRS unit’s overall commitment to engaging with diverse publics and contributing to wider goals of social inclusion.

Sustaining long-term relationships with research users and non-academic partners is embedded in both the strategy and day-to-day operation of CRPL. Our ongoing relationship-building enables us to develop innovative larger-scale projects with research users and beneficiaries as integral partners. CRPL has created opportunities during research days for local stakeholders to reflect on how academic partnerships might benefit their work; building pilot research partnerships via our well-established student placements; and increasing the general visibility of Leeds TRS’s work via a CRPL public-facing website and ‘Religion in Public’ and ‘Faith and Activism’ blogs.

During the last REF period, this approach has allowed more and more CRPL members to flourish as inter/national impact leaders. A majority of unit researchers have been vigorously involved in public engagement – with charities and third-sector bodies, in education and training, and with the media and private sector, locally, nationally and internationally, all of whose behaviours, practices, rights and duties have been influenced by the ongoing impact of our research. The areas of our ongoing work include: Public Health; Minority Faith Buildings as National Heritage; Local/National Museums, Arts and Minorities; Public Policy, Law and Training.

Lastly, we acknowledge the support offered by the following colleagues to developing the REF impact case studies: Professor James Stark, as Director of Impact in the School, Dr Fiona Philips, as Research and Impact Support Officer in the School, and Wahida Shaffi as research consultant.

Header image: Jasjit Singh participating in a panel discussion about his research at Surrey City Hall, BC, Canada, March 2019.