The impact debate should encourage us to reflect on how we produce research, not just how we communicate its findings.

While academic social science is extremely effective at generating public value, it is less adept at communicating this value. Sam Baars believes researchers should reflect on the ways in which social value is created not just from the findings of our research, but also the way in which it is conducted. He pushes for the adoption of a more ‘embedded’ approach to research which involves working more closely with the public, and public institutions, at a local level.