University of Northampton Social Impact Report 2022-2023

In recent decades, the focus on how public money is spent has increased. A decade ago, Clifford and Hazenberg (2015) identified that there were expectations on organisations to measure the social impact of their activities. Given the development since then of impact approaches, methodologies and the emergence of global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this need has only increased. Being able to demonstrate value for money is not only pivotal for securing future funding, but it allows an organisation to promote and understand what makes service delivery effective (ibid). Diligent, reliable, and rigorous processes for measuring social impact allow for to the refinement of services and social interventions through undertaking evidence-based organisational development which is a critical aspect of developing both sustainable and effective socially focused organisations (Hazenberg, Seddon, and Denny, 2014).

This report presents the areas of social impact the University of Northampton (UON) produces and measures the positive outcomes across three key areas: students, staff, and the community. This report details the outcomes and impacts for these groups, and, where possible, monetises them to illustrate the wider value to society. It is important to note, that not all outcomes can be monetised, and even where they can be, fiscal value is not the sole delineator of performance. The wider social and environmental impacts that the institution delivers for communities are equally as important, as well as the central role the University has in driving positive change, both internal and external to the institution. This report outlines the social impact of UON, mapped across the four Changemaker Commitments that underpinned UON’s strategy in 2022-2023 :
1. To enable young people to learn and flourish.
2. Strong communities that promote good health and wellbeing.
3. Sustainable culture, heritage, and environment.
4. Enterprise culture and mindset

It also builds upon the Theory of Change developed by UON, which underpins this research and links these areas to the United Nation’s SDG framework. This report makes up part of the social impact measurement journey that the University began last year with the 2021-2022 report and includes the development and refinement of the data capture methodology to ensure robust, reliable and valid results. The overarching goal of the report is for the data gathered to inform the institutes decision-making in a manner that helps to ensure strategic decisions can align with the full economic, social, and environmental consequences.