Viewpoint — The Impact of ‘Impact’ on UK Social Science

Government funding of research in the UK takes place in three ways. First, direct funding by contracted research commissioned by Government departments (and by local authorities). Second, funding via the QR block grant distributed through the Research Assessment Exercise (now called the REF). Third, funding via the seven research councils and their umbrella organisation, Research Councils UK (RCUK). Each of these streams of funding has been severely affected by the Government‟s concern to reduce the deficit generated by the global financial crisis. At the same time, the Government (indirectly via Treasury strictures and, more directly via the ministry responsible for higher education, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills) is keen to ensure „value for money‟ for what it funds. 1