• "Aspect is changing the way people gain recognition for their role in SHAPE"

    We’re dedicated to training opportunities that foster collective growth in SHAPE research innovation

    Aspect training is for professionals, academics, and the public, united in our mission to share experiences, ideas, strategies, and learnings

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    • Our training sessions are designed to empower university staff in SHAPE research commercialisation, enriching their skills to fortify and expand institutional ecosystems. Complementing these sessions are resources available on the Aspect Members’ Platform, ranging from templates to “Train-the-Trainer” toolkits, and knowledge shares from fellow members

    • We’re committed to delivering collective insights from our membership to assist academics in amplifying the impact of their research. With tailored training sessions and self-learning courses on the Aspect Members Platform, covering diverse subjects from expanding social media networks to establishing social ventures, there’s something for every researcher, from the inquisitive learner to the ambitious entrepreneur

      Are you ready to take your idea to the next level? Then the Aspect Research Commercialisation (ARC) Accelerator could be the route for you

    • Whether you’re an investor, consultant, public body, or visionary, SHAPE presents an exciting frontier to explore. Ventures emerging from university pipelines are reshaping concepts of impact investment, corporate social responsibility, ESG frameworks, and more. Join us in this dynamic landscape

    • We’re pioneering the recognition of roles and activities within SHAPE through Aspect Smart Badges. These blockchain-based micro-credentials validate completion of Aspect training and participation in our and our members’ activities, providing tangible proof of acquired skills and knowledge for career advancement

    Self-learning

    Recognising the demands of busy schedules and global time zones, we offer online training materials for Aspect Members to access at their convenience. Developed collaboratively to empower academics and professional support staff, our suite of resources includes pathways like The Social Venture Pathway, helping academics launch their own social ventures; the Games Development Pathway, offering insights from industry and academic professionals of converting research into both tabletop and digital video games, and Building on ABC developed by Aspect Members the University of Oxford, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, York University, and Durham University providing a comprehensive knowledge exchange training programme.  We also collaborate with a number of external organisations to share their learnings, with courses on embedding sustainability, legal structures for ventures and tools for effective project communication and marketing

    Collective-learning

    Since our inception, we’ve championed experimentation and collaborative learning to foster SHAPE ventures’ growth. Uniquely, our network is built by members, ensuring that our collective knowledge is shared and utilised for the benefit of all. Our upcoming training sessions cover topics such as the nuances of licensing, consultancy, and contract research; strategies to promote research, identify collaborators, and enhancing scholarly impact on LinkedIn, and approaches to structuring CPD programmes, leveraging research outcomes, and engaging partners effectively, all designed to enhance skills and impact. These training sessions are held online with time commitments from four hours to 10 depending on the course. As with all of our training, participants will be issued with micro-credentials via our Smart Badges upon completion to attest to the knowledge and skills gained

     

    Watch, Listen, Read

    Since 2018, our members have been actively collaborating on the development of resources and materials derived from the Aspect Testbed projects

    These initiatives provide valuable insights, tools, and resources to navigate the dynamic SHAPE ecosystem, empowering individuals and organisations to maximise positive impact from SHAPE research

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    258 Resources | Page 2 of 15

    Social Sciences Innovations to reduce environmental harms

    Explore the ZINC Venture Builder Programme for Entrepreneurs!

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    Remote Ethnography: Mobile Phone Methods

    This ‘How-To’ Guide outlines the Remote Ethnography method used by Dr Alison Briggs from the University of Manchester. The animated GIF was created in collaboration with Caroline Boyd of Boy Oh Boy! Designs

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    Collage as Method

    This ‘How-To’ Guide outlines the Collage method used by Dr Amy Barron from the University of Manchester. The artwork was created in collaboration with Maddy Vian, Maddy Vian Illustration.

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    Making Textiles together

    This ‘How-To’ Guide outlines the Making Textiles Together method used by Dr Amy Twigger-Holroyd from Nottingham Trent University, and Dr Emma Shercliff from Arts University Bournemouth. The artwork was created in collaboration with Maddy Vian, Maddy Vian Illustration.

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    Net zero, small and micro businesses, step-by-step guide, net zero pathway map

    Engaging small and micro businesses with net zero  

    Report and Step-by-Step guide that helps to understand and accelerate engagement of micro and small businesses with Net Zero.

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    Survey: How can we drive innovation

    We are excited to announce the launch of a survey asking academics to reflect on how their role is changing. 

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    Multi-method mapping

    This ‘How To’ Guide outlines the Multi-method Mapping method used by Heather Miles for The University of Manchester. The animated GIF was created in collaboration with Caroline Boyd, Boy Oh Boy Designs.

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    Militant Research

    This ‘How To’ Guide outlines the Militant Research method used by Dr Jess Adams for Newcastle University. The video was created in collaboration with Aude Aboul-Nasr.

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    In Place of War – The Creative and Social Entrepreneurship Programme (CASE)

    Report about exploring new revenue generating model for the CASE programme to support participation of people from disadvantages backgrounds.

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    Programme to support mid-career researchers with venture engagement for professional development

    This is a report about the Zinc Mid-Career Researcher Innovation Safari 2022. It explains how mid-career researchers have fewer opportunities than ECRs to explore developmental routes outside academia, which leads to limitations of opportunities for professional and personal development.

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    Research Method: Designs for Addressing Racial inEqualities (DARE)

    This ‘how to’ guide outlines the Designs for Addressing Racial inEqualities (DARE) research method used by Dr Temidayo Eseonu from Lancaster University. The artwork was created in collaboration with Caroline Boyd, Boy Oh Boy Designs.

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    Research Method: Critical Spatial Data Science

    This ‘how to’ guide outlines the Critical Spatial Data Science research method used by Dr Caitlin Robinson from the University of Bristol. The artwork was created in collaboration with Jack Brougham.

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    Research Method: Constructivist Grounded Theory

    Research Method: Constructivist Grounded Theory

    This ‘how to’ guide outlines the Constructivist Grounded Theory research method used by Dr Denise Miller from the University of Greenwich. The artwork was created in collaboration with Chris Murray, More than Minutes.

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    Human centric research of skills

    A scope study of skills and decision-making capacity among technical workforce in fashion manufacturing to support policy development and technology acquisition for sustainable fashion and manufacturing.

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    Zinc offers an Innovation Internships scheme for PhD students to learn about early-stage innovation within placements in start-ups

    This is a detailed report available to Aspect members about Zinc’s offerings of the Aspect-funded Innovation Internships scheme that supports students from both disciplines, SHAPE and STEM, for three-month placements outside academia, with mission-focused start-ups to gain commercial experience.

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    The University of Bristol – Translational Impact Hub

    In 2022, the University of Bristol developed and created a Translational Impact Hub that supports academics accelerating their research impact.

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    Launch of Aspect Angels

    We are very excited to announce the launch of Aspect Angles with Aspect members the University of Reading and Henley Business School!

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    Methods for Change at the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences 2022

    In this blog the Methods for Change team reflect on two interactive sessions on spatial, qualitative, and mixed methods convened as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2022.

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    258 Resources | Page 2 of 15

    Toolkit

    The Aspect toolkit captures the lessons learned during Aspect’s first three years, disseminating shared knowledge and providing practical guidance that other institutions can use for inspiration in their own activities

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    The Aspect Network welcomes applications from like-minded organisations across the world to become members

    Join us in contributing to solutions for the global challenges we encounter. Reach out to us today to discover how the Aspect Network can support you

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