The untapped potential of commercialisation of research out of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy

Syahirah Abdul-Rahman, Huw Vasey and Melanie Knetsch

Chapter 8 in How to Scale Engagement and Impact in Universities, 2025, pp 82-91 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter looks into the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) ambitious goal of making the UK a global leader in commercialising social science research. It explores ESRC's vision to unlock the untapped potential of social sciences by enabling social scientists to develop sustainable ways to create impact, nurturing a research-led private sector, and bridging gaps between academia, industry, and commerce. However, several obstacles rooted in legacy and cultural factors impede this path. Historically, research commercialisation has centred on IP-rich STEM innovations, while social science academics viewed commercialisation as profit driven rather than impactful. Universities and technology transfer offices also lacked knowledge and incentives to support social science commercialisation effectively. To overcome these challenges, ESRC adopted a multifaceted approach involving enabling social scientists, fostering a research-led private sector, and bridging the divide between academia, industry, and commerce. Through these efforts, ESRC aims to extend learnings to the wider commercialisation of research out of social science, humanities and the arts for people and the economy, and further beyond disciplines and academia, driving positive societal change by commercialising its innovations.

Keywords: Commercialisation; Social science; Research impact; Arts and humanities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035337422
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