Funded Projects

The Aspect programme funds projects to test ideas and pilot new approaches, developing resources that share insights and learnings with the broader community.

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59 Testbed Projects | Page 3 of 4
Innovation Fellows

Phase 1

Innovation Fellows

Driving greater academic engagement.

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Innovation Fellows Programme Phase 2

Phase 2

Innovation Fellows Programme Phase 2

Supporting academic-led culture change towards innovation among SHAPE researchers in their institutions and beyond.

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Innovation Internships programme: Towards sustainability

Phase 2

Innovation Internships programme: Towards sustainability

PhD candidate placement opportunities within early-stage ventures.

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Internationalisation of Aspect

Phase 1

Internationalisation of Aspect

Building relationships with HEIs in middle income countries.

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Marketing Toolkit

Phase 1

Marketing Toolkit

Developing a series of guidance and good practice cases for the communication needs associated with social science commercialisation.

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Methods for Change

Phase 1

Methods for Change

Showcasing the value of social science methodologies to non-academic sectors.

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Methods for Change Phase 2

Phase 2

Methods for Change Phase 2

Realising the value of research methodologies for creating change in society.

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Methods for embedding micro-businesses in change for Net Zero

Phase 3

Methods for embedding micro-businesses in change for Net Zero

MicroSEM is a project led by a team at the University of Sussex Business School, which aims to understand how to better engage with the UK’s smallest businesses, micro and small businesses (up to 49 employees), for supporting their transition to Net Zero.

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MicroSEM for Net Zero

Phase 2

MicroSEM for Net Zero

Encouraging the implementation of changes by businesses and entrepreneurs to achieve Net Zero.

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Office for National Statistics and Cardiff University Partnership

Phase 2

Office for National Statistics and Cardiff University Partnership

Developing resources that help deliver social value.

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Pathways to increase SHAPE academic business engagement

Phase 3

Pathways to increase SHAPE academic business engagement

Using a thematic context (Sustainability; Digital data and risk; Levelling up) as a hook to get academics engaged, the programme will showcase pathways to increase academic engagement. Includes workships with academics, ECRs, and businesses; and development of case studies and a framework for academic engagement.

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Piloting a programme to support mid-career researcher engagement with startups

Phase 2

Piloting a programme to support mid-career researcher engagement with startups

Providing mid-career researchers with an exciting and dynamic commercial experience.

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Piloting an Innovation Internships programme for PhD students

Phase 3

Piloting an Innovation Internships programme for PhD students

In 2022, Zinc piloted a new placements programme, allowing PhD students – the majority from SHAPE disciplines – to work with and in Zinc startups. Eight students joined us in May from a range of institutions and disciplines, but with a shared interest in improving children’s mental health, which was the focus of our most recent venture-builder.

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Research Commercialisation Workshop & Toolkit Series

Phase 1

Research Commercialisation Workshop & Toolkit Series

Developing good practice for social sciences commercialisation.

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Research Fellowships in Zinc’s later life venture-builder programme

Phase 1

Research Fellowships in Zinc’s later life venture-builder programme

Adding five more years of high quality to later life.

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Research funding prize for Zinc ventures

Phase 1

Research funding prize for Zinc ventures

Unlocking new opportunities in places hard-hit by globalisation.

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Seed Funding: POBL Communications e-learning platform

Phase 2

Seed Funding: POBL Communications e-learning platform

Developing a prototype e-learning platform.

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Shape Summer of Innovation: Shape showcase event and festival

Phase 2

Shape Summer of Innovation: Shape showcase event and festival

Showcasing innovative and commercial projects within the arts, humanities the social sciences.

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59 Testbed Projects | Page 3 of 4