From Research to Reality: Bridging Universities and Social Impact

​Event Description

There is no shortage of research on what works. Yet too often, valuable scientific insights remain disconnected from the organizations and communities working to solve real-world problems.

This session explores how to bridge the gap between academia and the social sector, moving from knowledge production to practical, context-driven action. How can universities and researchers become active partners in designing solutions, rather than distant observers?

At the heart of the conversation is a shift in approach: from translating research after the fact to co-creating solutions from the start, grounded in the lived challenges of civil society organizations. Through a “reverse listening” lens, the session will center the needs of practitioners and explore how research agendas can better align with real-world demands.

We will also examine how to move beyond “what works” to understand how and why interventions succeed in context, and how tools like longitudinal data can strengthen both policy and implementation.

Bringing together researchers, social entrepreneurs, and practitioners, this session will focus on how to build practical, enduring bridges between evidence and action, turning science into a driver of scalable, equitable impact.

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​Speakers

• ​Eleni Stamou is Researcher and Policy Advisor at the Education Equity Initiative, University of Birmingham, advancing equity and social justice through policy-engaged research.

• ​Izadora Mattiello is Researcher and Executive Director at Scientific Impact Institute, advancing social innovation by bridging science and civil society.

• ​Pauline Essah is Chief Executive Officer of ESSA, advancing education systems in Africa through data, research, and capacity building.

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Discussion Questions
Why does the gap between research and real-world implementation persist?
What does meaningful collaboration between universities and social organizations look like in practice?
How can research agendas better reflect the needs of practitioners and communities?
How do we move from evidence of “what works” to understanding how to implement it effectively at scale?

​Location & access
Accessibility matters deeply to us, and we do our best to choose spaces that reflect that. That said, some of our Oxford venues are in historic buildings without lifts. This room is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users, those with mobility challenges, or anyone needing step-free access.