Short Films, Big Impact

25 Jul 2014

Watch how University research is benefiting our local community

University colleagues can see how our academic research and engagement with the local community is benefiting society in a collection of short films.

‘Short Films, Big Impact: Bringing research to life through storytelling’ was an ambitious six-month project, funded under the Economics and Social Research Council’s Impact Accelerator Accounts, to highlight research groups at Manchester who are demonstrating social impact.

The series of eight short films tells the stories of how Manchester research groups have demonstrated social impact, covering themes of social inequality, education and employment, and showcasing collaborations between the University, third-sector organisations and local communities.

Some of the projects that feature in the films include our Directorate of Human Resources’ award-winning ‘The Works’ initiative, research carried out by the Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity, and Manchester Institute of Education’s work with local schools.

Dr Jackie Carter, who led the project, said: "Short Films, Big Impact was an opportunity to bring the important findings of research groups at the University of Manchester, and the work of the Human Resources directorate, to wider audiences.

"We hope that these short films will reach as wide an audience as possible, so that the public, policy makers and practitioners can learn about our work, how it impacts on the local community, and its potential for application beyond Manchester. I hope they inspire others to capture their research in engaging ways and to communicate why research matters."

• To watch the films, visit: You Tube.
• Or to find out more, visit: Short Films, Big Impact or the project blog.
• You can also keep up to date with developments with the project on Twitter (SFBI@Manchester).