The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) recently hosted its inaugural Research Impact Showcase 2026, themed “Shaping Fair Futures: Big Ideas, Real Impact”, bringing together researchers, industry partners, civil society organisations, policymakers, and members of the higher education community to explore how social sciences research contributes to real-world change.
The showcase was introduced to provide greater visibility to the diverse research taking place across the faculty and to highlight the role of social sciences in addressing contemporary societal challenges. According to Associate Professor Subarna Sivapalan, the Associate Dean, Research and Knowledge Exchange, the initiative was also intended to encourage greater collaboration across schools, sectors, and disciplines.
Aligned with the University’s broader sustainability agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the showcase featured a research exhibition alongside a curated display of books, policy outputs, and creative works produced by faculty members.
Among the featured works were:
The exhibition also showcased research projects addressing issues such as digital safety, climate resilience, and social equity. Featured studies included research on the use of virtual reality to encourage environmental responsibility, the development of ethical frameworks for generative AI in higher education, and investigations into online scam awareness among university students.
The forum featured Professor David FitzPatrick, Provost and CEO of UNM; Puan Azlina Kamal from UNICEF Malaysia; Dr Balamurugan Ratha Krishnan from the Green Growth Asia Foundation; Dr Ho Sook Wah from Yayasan Gamuda; and Dr Teh Su Thye from the Global Peace Foundation Malaysia. Discussions centred on reducing inequality, improving access to quality education, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring that sustainability initiatives create lasting behavioural and institutional change.
During the showcase, the FASS Research Incubator Grant 2026 was launched, an initiative designed to support researchers in testing existing research outputs in real-world settings through collaborations with industry, civil society organisations, communities, and external partners.
A key highlight of the event was the forum titled “Leaving No One Behind: Driving Change for a More Just, Sustainable, and Equitable Future”, moderated by Associate Professor Sivapalan. The session explored how universities, policymakers, NGOs, and industry stakeholders can work together to advance equity, sustainability, and long-term societal impact.
The grant aims to encourage interdisciplinary and inter-sector collaboration by enabling researchers to move beyond traditional academic settings and explore how research can be applied in practical contexts. Selected projects will receive support over a period of up to one and a half years to develop proof-of-concept initiatives with external collaborators.
In her closing remarks, FASS Dean Professor Joanne Lim highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between academia, industry, government, and community partners in generating meaningful impact through research and knowledge exchange in the social sciences.
FASS plans to continue the Research Impact Showcase as an annual initiative, with future editions expected to further expand opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement while showcasing the outcomes of projects supported through the new incubator grant.
Posted on 22nd May 2026