The University of Bath is one of thirty-two research organisations across the UK which will benefit from the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC’s) support through five-year Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs).

The new IAA funding of £1.25 million will run from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2028, for projects and activities that sit within the ESRC remit. ESRC IAAs enable research organisations to support a wide range of social, economic and behavioural science impact activities. The funding will be used to generate greater benefits from research, helping create a more prosperous, inclusive, healthy and secure society.

The funding will be allocated through open calls to fund collaborative research and knowledge exchange projects, public engagement, training, networking and staff support that will help maximise the impact of our research portfolio over the five years.
This is the first time the University has received ESRC IAA funding, and it will complement the EPSRC IAA active at the University of Bath since the scheme’s inception in 2012.

Professor Julie Barnett, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Bath, says:

This commitment from the ESRC reflects their confidence not only in our research strengths in social and economic sciences but importantly in our ability to translate our knowledge beyond the University, demonstrating real-world impact and value. I am really looking forward to the opportunity that the award of the ESRC IAA gives us to generate knowledge exchange and continue to build on our ever-growing portfolio of impact.

Professor Emma Carmel, Associate Dean for Research in Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Bath says:

This award from the ESRC provides a sustained programme of support to extend and deepen our work with communities, businesses, policymakers, the public sector and charities in addressing today’s complex societal challenges. We are delighted to have this exciting opportunity to ensure that more of our world-class social science research realises its transformative potential for real social, economic, cultural and political benefits.