Business Engagement

What are the Social Sciences, and what can they offer businesses?

The University of Oxford brings together one of the largest groupings of social scientists of any university in the world.

Drawing from a broad spectrum of disciplines – from archaeology to economics, and education to law – we represent a critical mass of top-ranked researchers tackling some of society and businesses’ most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis, articifical intelligence, geo-political instability and economic uncertainty.

Our academics bring multi-disciplinary expertise and innovative solutions to the problems confronting businesses, social enterprises and charities, such as:

  • adapting to market pressures and changing consumer trends and demands;
  • learning new ways to harness digital technology and data meaningfully and securely;
  • challenges with talent acquisition and retention in a world of labour shortages and changing working preferences;
  • accessing the supplies, workforce, skills and training, technology and funding needed for growth;
  • acting meaningfully on equality, diversity and inclusion;
  • reacting to ever-changing policy and regulatory landscapes, and cybersecurity threats; 
  • responding to environmental, social and governance (ESG) pressures.

Success stories

The stories presented below reflect the diversity of external partnerships that social scientists at Oxford engage in, and demonstrate how collaborating with our researchers can enable organisations to enhance their positive impact through research, insight and innovation. 

What do we do?

From applying rigorous methods to collect and analyse data, to developing insights that improve business practices, and co-producing responsible solutions that meet the needs of diverse groups, the breadth of challenges in which our academics engage is vast.

Oxford’s social scientists can provide robust evidence to inform strategic business decisions that are optimised for people, profitability and the planet, and we are committed to ensuring our research has meaningful impact with integrity at local, national and global scales.

A critical part of achieving these goals is engaging with partners from across public, political and professional spheres and building mutually beneficial collaborations.

Why partner with us?

For businesses, a partnership with the Social Sciences at Oxford offers opportunities to:

  • Collaborate with our academics, who bring dynamic, multidisciplinary, research-based insights and a rigorous approach to tackling all manner of complex challenges,
  • Engage with our extensive networks to convene key stakeholders and participate in influential debates,
  • Benefit from exceptional in-person and online learning opportunities through our executive education, professional development and custom education programmes,
  • Work with our brilliant students through placements and initiatives,
  • Get involved with cutting-edge research innovation, and
  • Be part of multidisciplinary teams taking on global challenges

So, whether you have encountered an obstacle within your own business sector and need a rigorous evidence-based solution, or your company’s ambition is to make a meaningful contribution to society and the planet, we encourage partnerships of all shapes and sizes and welcome approaches from all those who share our commitment to innovative research and positive impact. 

Types of partnerships

Research partnerships, such as those in the films below, can deliver critical insights and new knowledge developed through scientific methods and validated frameworks. 

Partnerships take many forms and include collaborative co-produced research, independent evaluations and assessments, evidence reviews or long-term knowledge translation projects to drive change in products, services, policy and culture.

Where needed we collaborate across the University and beyond, to develop interdisciplinary teams who can respond to complex research requirements. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/CLkLInkqnVo?si=TPMiGMUqmAcz111X

 

 

We offer masters and doctoral programmes that enable businesses to co-fund student places to work on areas of mutual interest. A smaller commitment is offered through student placements which can bring a fresh perspective into an organisation, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and business practice. University of Oxford students are embedded directly into an organisation for a defined period, working closely with staff to undertake a specific piece of work.  

For example, through the University’s SDG Impact Lab, we enable students to collaborate with business partners on projects of interest to them, that also help to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, doctoral placements enabled through the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership can open the potential for our world class students to spend up to three months working with business partners. Both are showcased in the short films below.

Viewers may find the content of this video distressing. Sources of help and support are available to explore here: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2z0HHR2TOmA?si=ABXuKBdQkFF7X2MJ

 

Social scientists with highly specialist expertise offer consultancy services that include technical support, problem solving, analysis and expert advice; a process that can be further facilitated by Oxford University Innovation (OUI)'s Consulting Services.

 

Our world-leading faculty can work with individual businesses to create tailored executive education and training programmes that help to develop critical new skills and build talent pipelines. 

Departments across the Social Sciences Division also deliver in-person and online executive education programmes that are designed to tackle the issues faced by many businesses and business leaders. For an insight into the experience of those who have attended our courses, please see the case study below from the Oxford Impact Measurement programme at the Saïd Business School. Links to a selection of our courses have also been included for reference. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/iRHbo5fcHVs?si=WGUAk8dHM_c5SvM5

Through knowledge exchange and innovation activities, Oxford's social science researchers are collaborating with external partners - nationally and internationally - to enhance the real-world impact of their research. We use our extensive networks to bring together businesses with academics, students and other relevant policy, practice and community stakeholders to share learning, experiences and expertise to collectively address topics of common interest.

Our researchers also engage with businesses to co-develop, test, scale up and grow innovative products, services, tools, frameworks and ways of working via licensing and ventures and other non-commercialisation routes. 

The case study below from the Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment gives an insight into how this ecosystem of academia, business and policy can work collaboratively to address the biggest issues we face. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1krhE5Jnk3I?si=ZIQQOzqbwU1AVC1q

How to establish a partnertship with us?

The Social Sciences Division’s Research, Impact and Engagement (RIE) Team offer dedicated support to streamline the process of initiating new research and innovation partnerships.

We can help to scope and cost projects, support introductions to relevant academics and networks, assist with contracting and questions relating to intellectual property, and source potential funding opportunities.

There is also a Business Engagement Seed Fund with awards up to £25,000 available to help researchers kick-start relationships. 

For further information, or to start a conversation, please contact: partnerships@socsci.ox.ac.uk