Ghent University’s interdisciplinary SSH-consortia : a tool to enhance the societal impact of research

This paper presents Ghent University’s initiative to launch thematic interdisciplinary SSH-consortia (IDC) with a focus on societal impact. After a pilot phase the SSH-consortia were recently evaluated to receive sustainable funding and embedment in the University (policy) structure with the objective to enhance the societal impact of SSH-research. During the pilot phase the consortia developed bottom-up and experienced pitfalls and developed promising practices. The core of the consortia lies on fostering interdisciplinarity and societal value creation leading to societal impact. Coordinators hold a pivotal position within the consortia. They are permanently assigned to guarantee a sustainable working and development of the consortia. The pilot phase showed that the interdisciplinary cooperation between the consortia and with the central Research Department provides added value in the working on societal impact