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Capacities, capabilities, and the societal impact of the humanities

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  • Eiríkur Smári Sigurðarson

Abstract

This article explores new theoretical directions for understanding societal impact of the humanities and in a wider context. Arguing from the position that current evaluation policies and practises are in many cases ill-suited to research in the humanities, with risk of goal displacement, it takes up the debate about what the proper goals of research in the humanities are. Asking: If we risk goal displacement, what are the proper goals researchers are being led away from? Using Miranda Fricker’s theory of epistemic justice and Amartya Sen’s capability approach, it argues for the need for a ‘capability theory’ for social capacities to understand societal impact. On the basis of this, a better understanding of the societal impact of research in the humanities can be developed, as well as new ways of assessing (ex ante and ex post) the societal impact of research projects and programmes in the humanities.

Suggested Citation

  • Eiríkur Smári Sigurðarson, 2020. "Capacities, capabilities, and the societal impact of the humanities," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 29(1), pages 71-76.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rseval:v:29:y:2020:i:1:p:71-76.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/reseval/rvz031
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