The SGSSS Impact Competition celebrates “the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy”. PhD researchers submit examples of the impact that they have created, or plan to create, through their work.  

Approximately 30 students applied to the Impact Competition in 2023, and 6 students were shortlisted across the categories “planned impact” and “achieved impact”. You can see the videos and posters for all shortlisted candidates below.

SGSSS received more than 1000 public votes to help us identify the winners. We awarded 1 prize for “planned impact” and, due to a tie, 2 prizes for “achieved impact”. 

Winner “Planned Impact”: Arushi Mathur 

Arushi’s project seeks to disrupt caste oppression in India by co-designing early years programmes that will develop critical consciousness around class oppression, at a time in a child’s development where caste oppression has generally been normalised and silenced.  

Joint winners awarded for “Achieved Impact” 

Laura Jones: Laura’s work aims to reduce stigma surrounding prostitution. Her research is co-funded by SGSSS, the University of Dundee, and Dundee City Council. Her work has led to the creation of Dundee Multi-Agency Guidance to support those engaged with commercial sexual exploitation. She will use this funding to develop case studies that will further tackle stigma and make a meaningful change to how people understand these issues. 

Karen Fullerton-Chalmers: Karen’s research aims to better understand the experience of stalking victims, and how they are impacted by portrayals of stalking in the media. Her submission for the Impact Competition focused on the findings from her work with stalking victims, where she identified patterns in their experiences that were shared with the Scottish charity Action Against Stalking. Her findings enabled AAS to better triage support services, by understanding the barriers to people accessing support and the needs at different stages in their journey.  

The winners each receive £500 of follow on funding to support their ongoing impact. Huge congratulations to our winners, and to all the shortlisted candidates.