Knowledge Transfer Partnership - Measuring Social Value and Impact

Before starting the PhD I was working as an sKTP Associate. Which sounds like jibberish to probably 98% of people I say that to, but it was a great experience.

I had wanted to post about it whilst I was still doing it, but the final weeks were crazy. Also I was normally so thoroughly caught up in the process that I found it difficult step back and reflect. But now I have a little more perspective

I was an sKTP Associate. Which is shorter Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate. It gives companies the opportunity to enter a partnership with a local university and employ a graduate (the associate) to undertake a specific project to share expertise, knowledge, experience. In my case I was working with Fabrick Housing Group and Teesside University. This was over a set period of 40 weeks, taking from February to November 2012.

The overall aim was to provide a method to and undertake an evaluation of the social and community investment that Fabrick undertakes. The organisation has a long history of undertaking non-housing related activities in order to improve the lives of residents and the communities in which they live.

Whilst I was there I saw brilliant projects in action and got to meet fantastic people. Everything from nature parks and financial support and advice, innovative live/work apartments and interactive programmes to teach children citizenship skills, to cookery classes and informal libraries where council run ones closed. Attempting to capture and demonstrate the impact of these activities was the objective. And it was a challenging, but enjoyable task.

I worked hard to understand the organisation as best I could by reviewing policy and strategic documents, and mainly through meeting lots of different people throughout the organisation. This allowed me to review potential methodologies. For a number of reasons we discounted Social Return on Investment (SROI), but there are suggestions that it could be done in the future. The proposed method, that was giving full backing by the organisation, was Social Accounting.

With many constraints including tight timescales and resources, and lack of evidence, I was proud of and pleased with the outcomes which included online surveys with large numbers of stakeholders to obtain quantitative data, and one-to-one interviews to generate qualitative case studies.

Fabrick Housing Group really do a great deal of this work because it feels right. It is a testament to the organisation. I was made to feel very welcome and to see the projects in action and then work to provide a large report with a number of important recommendations means I can only see the upward trajectory.

The sKTP process gave me the opportunity to undertake a significant project under my own steam, with fantastic support from both Fabrick Housing Group and Teesside University. It was a challenge at times, but I would do it again given the opportunity! I've gained a lot of confidence which will hopefully aid me in my long journey of the PhD.

A Teesside University news item on the project: Click here.

Pictured above is Dr Peter Van Der Graaf, myself (Stephanie Mulrine), and Stephen Bray whom were pivotal in the successful completion of this project.

Starting the PhD process

A picture of my little corner of the PhD office on my first day.

So I am at the end of my second proper week as a full-time PhD student! I'm not sure it still feels real yet and I am still trying to deal with all of the associated administrative, enrollment, registration related fun. Meeting lots of new people and fit in and seem impressive, whilst still being myself (especially with the supervisors) has also been the flavour of the past two weeks.

Short story that sums me up:

After attending the British Sociological Association symposium for the Death, Dying and Bereavement study group in London, I am walking into Fulham Broadway tube station discussing social theory and philosophy with my PhD supervisor. I am still trying to make a good impression, but see a Krispy Kreme stand. I halt our walking and our talking of Baudrillard as I announce I must buy doughnuts.

Hopefully this paints me as colourful or quirky rather than bizarre and abrupt. And I do love a raspberry glazed to be fair.

The task ahead seems daunting, but I am extremely excited to jump in and give it my best! I know that in months and years to come, this child-like naivety will seem ridiculous.. But we're not there yet!

I'm starting a PhD in 6 weeks..

Eep!

I'm Stephanie Mulrine, most people are lazy and refer to me as Steph, and I am about to undertake a PhD in 6 weeks time. I am excited and nervous. The balance of each of those feelings tips in differing directions on a bi-hourly basis.

I decided to start a blog for a number of reasons. The main being to have an outlet to stimulate writing and creativity. My writing is my main worry. I still don't entirely believe I am worthy of a funded PhD studentship. Writing fills me with terror. And I am well aware that leaving it all until my 3rd year will be a major disaster inducing such panicked paralysis that I may never complete. Not an option!

Another reason is to interact with other people, network, find like-minded people. A PhD seems at this moment that it could be a potentially isolating experience. So the blog is part of a strategy to combat that.

So, I suppose, a bit about me. I'm 27, I live in the North East of England with my bearded other half. I like reading, music, food, general simple pleasures. I watch too much news, 'what is too much' you might say? Top 5 male and female presenters? Too much. I love a bit of mind-numbing, trash TV.

I'll post soon a little more about the actual PhD content, but context and ego first. Obviously.

So, please, say hi and let me know what you think!