The forthcoming UK Research Excellence
Framework is expected to include a new element that assesses the
impact of research. The Higher Education Funding Councils have been
piloting a methodology for assessing research impact. Social policy and
social work was one of the four subject areas selected for
the pilots.
The Social Policy Association and Joint University
Council Social Work Education Committee organised a seminar for those
social policy and social work departments that took part in the pilots, to share
their experiences. A report of the seminar, which has also been sent to
HEFCE, is now available on the new SPA website www.social-policy.org.uk.
Caroline Glendinning
SPA Chair