‘We can always have a cup of coffee’: impact in the Science Shops

Impact is becoming increasingly important within the academic world. But what exactly does that mean and what does impact entail for the UG? In this series, staff members tell us about the way in which they offer support in the process of generating impact. Yorick Karseboom and Henk Mulder, coordinators of the Knowledge Centre of Philosophy and the Beta Science Shop, respectively, share their story in this fourth episode. ‘Through the Science Shops, anyone can find their way into the University and, as a result, problems can be addressed that we would have failed to see otherwise.’

_{Text: Britt Corporaal}

An important aspect of generating impact is communication. Coordinators Karseboom and Mulder know that this idea is characteristic for the Science Shops. Yorick Karseboom works as a lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy, he is the coordinator of the Knowledge Centre of Philosophy, and Chair of the monthly Science Shops Discussion. Henk Mulder is the coordinator of the Beta Science Shop and lecturer of Science Communication. He currently focuses on the international networks of the Science Shops. Mulder explains: ‘What you often hear is that organizations actually no longer want to participate in research, as they are always the research object without being given the opportunity to provide input.’ At the Science Shops, societal organizations are therefore involved in research in a different way.

Business as usual

The University of Groningen currently has five Science Shops: the Beta Science Shop, the Knowledge Centre of Philosophy, Medicine & Public Health, Education, and Language, Culture & Communication. In addition, there is also a sixth in collaboration with the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (WIJS) and a collaboration with the Green Office. All these Science Shops work on the basis of short-term projects, making the results quickly visible. Karseboom explains: ‘Because we immediately begin working on a project, things happen straight away, and where things happen, impact arises.’

The Science Shops work on a demand-driven basis. When societal organizations run into a problem, they can ask the Science Shops for help with looking for a solution. The Science Shops then ensure that a researcher and some students are linked to the project. ‘In principle, the researchers only need to focus on the business as usual. They have to provide guidance to students anyway, both academic and substantial. We have already done the preparatory work for them and we are also willing to do some project management to ensure that the project does not go wrong,’ Mulder describes.

Real-estate agents in research

The impact created by the Science Shops is thus closely related to their societal role. Different parties are involved in this, according to Mulder: ‘We are actually sort of like real-estate agents who manage expectations. How can we make it into a win-win situation?’ The coordinators take into account both the students, who should learn something from the project for their studies, and the societal organizations, who want to find something out about their problem.

In this respect, the Science Shops work in two directions, according to Karseboom: ‘On the one hand, we work on the basis of questions that we receive from society, but on the other hand, we also introduce existing research into society. I think it differs a bit per Science Shop where exactly the focus lies.’ It is important for the Science Shops to show researchers that their research benefits people and organizations in society. ‘If you cooperate with this as a researcher, you really do contribute to societal impact, because there is already an organization that is eagerly awaiting your results.’

The present and the future

Although the impact is major, the organization of the Science Shops is in proportion relatively small-scale. ‘Sometimes you will be told: you should be more visible. We are now making videos to show what we are doing. The risk of this is that if it becomes too well-known, we can no longer provide what is requested of us.’ Nonetheless, Karseboom and Mulder certainly still have goals in mind: ‘The combination of Science Shops and citizen science is very powerful and that is also what we want to focus on more in the future.’

This goal is connected to the current Strategic Plan of the University, Making Connections, which connects the three core goals of research, teaching, and society. Karseboom: ‘To me, the Science Shops represent what a university is and should be. It is an institute that has both feet firmly planted in society. Sometimes, research is determined by people who have money or who are in charge. Through the Science Shops, anyone can find their way into the University and, as a result, problems can be addressed that we would have failed to see otherwise.’ Mulder adds: ‘It is also simply highly beneficial for people’s trust in science. We make research accessible for anyone with a scientific question.’

We can always have a cup of coffee

Karseboom emphasizes that the Science Shops are always on the lookout for new collaborations: ‘What makes the Science Shops so strong is that we form a vast network together with all of our colleagues. Everyone is always welcome to come and talk to us.’ That offer also stands for faculties that do not have a Science Shop yet: ‘It is incredibly valuable and you can always start small.’ In the context of collaborations, Mulder also emphasizes the opportunity to consult with colleagues in public engagement: ‘We see that this public engagement stimulates a certain ‘cross-fertilization’.’ Through this cross-fertilization, the Science Shops position themselves as a unifying factor. They are in contact with their clients from society, researchers, students, and also with other stakeholders from within the UG impact infrastructure. We have an informal and pleasant conversation that we conclude with a smile: ‘We can always have a cup of coffee! Right?’

Are you curious about recent Science Shops projects? Then check out the videos below!

Find more information about the Science Shops.