SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) is a collective term for the social sciences, humanities and the arts, as outlined by the British Academy’s SHAPE hub.

Innovation is one of the pathways to research impact.

We support innovation across all faculties at King’s College London, with new additional emphasis on the four SHAPE Faculties: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences & Public Policy, King’s Business School and The Dickson Poon School of Law.

Because innovation is often interdisciplinary, collaboration between SHAPE researchers and other fields and disciplines is a key priority.

In a university context, innovation refers to translating research, expertise or knowledge into new or improved products, services, methods or models, often with external partners, delivering clear economic, social, cultural or environmental benefit.

Examples of current and previous funding streams for innovation that include SHAPE disciplines: 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) from UKRI

Arts and Humanities Research Council Commercialisation Grant

British Academy Official Development Assistance Innovation Fellowships 2024

SHAPE Involve and Engage (British Academy)

Resources showcasing SHAPE innovation practice and examples:

ARC Accelerator has training resources and case studies of SHAPE-led innovation projects.

London Social Ventures provides support for researchers from London universities.

Any queries related to SHAPE Innovation, feel free to get in touch with Dr Vicky McGuinness, SHAPE Industry Research Partnerships Manager:  victoria.mcguinness@kcl.ac.uk

Sign up to receive news of our innovation support, collaboration and investment opportunities, straight to your inbox and tailored to you.