Impact Case Studies
Law is committed to embedding impact as a central part of our mission, equally valued to outputs. We have developed our impact culture through:
- Encouraging and supporting all staff to build and develop an impact profile where appropriate for their research
- Valuing impact equally to outputs in performance and development review/promotion
- Using the Unit’s research budget for buyout to engage in impact activity and taking advantage of institutional resources
- Facilitating pathways to impact through secondments/partnerships
Law’s Impact Case Studies illustrate the University’s world-changing vision, working with policy makers and public bodies nationally and internationally to improve safeguards against wrongful conviction (James Chalmers and Fiona Leverick); shape the regulation of autonomous weapons (Robin Geiß); reform public sector complaint processes to reduce harm to employees (Gill); enable digital innovation through copyright law (CREATe); and combat ill-treatment of detained persons in Eastern Europe (Jim Murdoch).
Researchers in Law have given evidence to Parliamentary Committees and other consultations. Jane Mair led the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding on academic secondments between the Scottish Law Schools and Scottish Law Commission, which led to secondment opportunities for colleagues. Colleagues collectively responded to the pandemic with impactful activity, for example by providing advice to the Scottish Government about safety resuming criminal trials; exploring how litigation could shape post-COVID decisions; hosting a webinar with academics and practitioners to address debt sustainability and the prevention of financial stability.