In December 2024 R-LAC led an event bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines across the university whose research has had significant impact in Latin America. Colleagues from Law, Sustainable Land Management and Film, Theatre and Television presented past impact case studies submitted to REF 2021, explaining how they had translated their research into impact, how they had engaged with relevant stakeholders in Latin America, and the diverse social, economic and scientific changes these research collaborations had brought about in diverse contexts in the region.
First, Mike Garrett from Sustainable Land Management presented the impact case study, Driving a Step Change in International Policy to Protect Pollinators, which has had a global impact on pollinator conservation, including in countries in Latin America. This was complemented by insights from the BioSmart project, which has involved close collaboration with the farming sector in Colombia.
This was followed by Rosa Freedman, from Law, who presented the impact case study Changing Global and UK Domestic Policy to Safeguard Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers, UN agencies and NGOs. Rosa’s insights were complemented by her project partner from the global organisation Keeping Children Safe, Sarah Blackmore, and they discussed the crucial impact of their work in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil around safeguarding children from abuse by peacekeepers.
Finally, Lucia Nagib from Film, Theatre and Television presented the impact case study Brazilian Film History and Intermediality: Inspiring Audiences, Artists and Cultural Institutions to Reconnect the Arts, Media and Film. She discussed the significant role of academic research, as well as the production of her award-winning documentary film Passages, on changing the Brazilian film industry and raising the profile of Brazilian cinema at a national and international level.
Alongside these insights, Impact Development Manager Sascha Valmé talked attendees through the university’s expertise in impact, how to develop an impact case study, and translate research into impact and engagement.
The event showcased much of the exciting real-world effects of research collaboration between scholars at the University of Reading and key stakeholders and communities in Latin America.