Impact Competition - Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

SGSSS Impact Competition

Impact Competition 2026 - Public Vote Now Open!

The SGSSS Impact Competition gives PhD students across Scotland a chance to reflect on how their research can make a meaningful difference.

Why get involved?

Submitting an application will give you a chance to:

Develop important skills identifying and articulating the impact of your research;
Reflect on and celebrate the difference that you are making through your work;
Win £500!

What counts as ‘impact’?

SGSSS defines impact using the terms of the ESRC, as the “demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy”. Impact is what comes from engaging collaboratively with different stakeholders about your research. For the purposes of the SGSSS Impact Competition, this can include:

An effect on, change or benefit to society and the economy. This includes a positive change on the activity, awareness, behaviour, capacity, opportunity, performance, policy, practice, process or understanding of key beneficiaries;
The positive academic contribution that excellent research can make to the understanding and advancement of scientific method or theory across disciplines.

Who is eligible to apply?

There are two categories, depending on your year of study. Any social science PhD student in Scotland is eligible to apply for the relevant category, no matter how your research is funded.

Planned impact: This is designed to showcase potential impact, based on your pathway to impact. This category is open for students in their first year of study (or part time equivalent).
Achieved impact: This is designed to showcase impact that has already been achieved, at least in part. This category is open for students in their second or third year of study (or part time equivalent).