The first major lesson I’ve learnt on my Laidlaw Research Summer is that producing impactful research starts with asking the most incisive questions. This is what my team and I have been focusing on this week.
Our project aims to investigate how we can better measure the value created by social enterprises, focusing specifically on those in Oxfordshire. In partnership with the Oxfordshire Social Enterprise Project, we aim to compile a comprehensive database of the thousands of social impact organisations across the region. While this, on its own, is no small task, the team also aims to delve into the question that underpins the whole project of collecting data: what does “impact” actually mean, and how ought we to measure it?
Solidifying these key objectives was one of my main responsibilities this week. The team needed to identify a set of clear, achievable, and ambitious goals. We discussed how quantitative economic measures, such as value-added, or change in income or employment, do capture key facets of what mission-led organisations aim to do. However, we were interested in how these economic measures alone are insufficient to understand the broader contribution that these groups make to their communities. How does one quantify features such as wellbeing, local resilience, and community cohesion? It is notoriously difficult. Yet, these forms of value are, in my opinion, just as important. After discussing this extensively, the team concluded that, as well as collecting data on the landscape of social enterprise in Oxfordshire, we wanted to find a way to recognise and measure these alternative forms of value they provide.
This week also focused on allocating responsibilities and establishing strong organisational systems to help us work together. I suggested that our team use an online project management platform to allocate tasks, and monitor progress. I have also taken responsibility for ensuring that we stay on schedule and meet key deadlines, whilst maintaining flexibility.
Additionally, I began working closely with my teammate Rian on the project’s literature review. Using Google Scholar, I identified foundational literature that will inform both our assessment framework and our data collection methodology. Together, Rian and I have begun reviewing these articles, exploring existing approaches such as Theory of Change and Social Return on Investment. It has been both fascinating and challenging to compare the strengths and limitations of the array of existing approaches, and the task has highlighted just how complex measuring social change is. However, this complexity has only strengthened our enthusiasm and motivation to contribute something truly meaningful to the sector.
Another key responsibility of mine was outlining additional skills we would need to develop to deliver the project successfully. We then began to address any shortcomings immediately. Workshops arranged by the Oxford SDG Impact Lab on Excel and Nvivo proved invaluable. Excel will underpin our preliminary database, while Nvivo will help us interpret the qualitative data that will shape our assessment framework. It’s super encouraging to see how quickly the team has picked up these new skills and begun to use them in our research.
Overall, I feel we’ve laid the groundwork for an amazingly rewarding six weeks. I’m very excited to continue working alongside such a dedicated, energetic team, and I look forward to engaging with the inspiring social enterprises contributing to our Oxfordshire community.