Claire Lightowler

This project report details the process and findings of a project to improve research use in the third sector undertaken between July 2011 - July 2012, funded by the ESRC (RES-173-27-0231).The project involved undertaking an audit of research use prior to the project, undertaking a range of activities aimed at improving research use across the organisation and evaluating the impact of these different activities.

This report details the use of research across Apex Scotland and identifies ideas about where improvements can be made. This report represents a baseline picture of research use at the beginning of a project, funded by Apex Scotland and the ESRC.

This summary describes the findings from a project to improve research use in Apex Scotland, and to share the learning with others. There are specific reflections likely to be of interest for other third sector organisations and for academics. Further details about this project, including a report about the project, can be found on the Improving research use in the third sector: Project report.

Response by Apex Scotland to the suggestions generated through the Improving research use in the third sector project.

Apex Scotland is a third sector organisation working throughout Scotland to improve the lives of people who have offended or are at risk of offending. It is involved in a range of interventions: from developing employment skills, running a school inclusion unit, and providing drug and alcohol treatment and support.

Below are slides from two workshops conducted as part of a project with Apex Scotland to help improve their research use, and develop wider lessons about supporting research use for third sector organisations. Further details of the project can be found here: Improving research use in the third sector.

This storyboard (animated video) aims to explain what action research is and how it can help to improve public services. It uses the example of Cedar (Children experiencing domestic abuse recovery) to talk through how action research can be useful and offers some hints and tips for those thinking about undertaking action research themselves.

Higher education repositories are on-line spaces where university staff can deposit their research outputs, making them available for anyone to access for free. This report explores the potential for higher education repositories in Scotland to make a greater contribution to improving access to research for the social services.

Este documental forma parte de un proyecto cuyo objetivo es fomentar el conocimiento y el entendimiento sobre los motivos por los que las personas dejan de delinquir. Si desean más información del proyecto o realizar un comentario sobre el documental, visiten elblog Discovering Desistance.