Impact case study database

Research by Hackett and Malik has had impact in three key areas: shaping wider public discourse and enhancing public knowledge of the Muslim world and Muslim migration; changing archival and museographic practice in order to give a voice to Muslim migrant communities; and training public sector staff, civil servants, diplomats and military and security personnel. The Director of the Muslim Institute notes the significance of Bath Spa University research and public engagement in this area, since it “has challenged stereotypes and erroneous assumptions about the history of the Muslim world” (E1).

Shaping wider public discourse and enhancing public knowledge of the Muslim world and Muslim migration

Hackett and Malik have shared their research with the wider public through print and broadcast media, in the UK and abroad, as well as organising and taking part in a series of public-facing events (E2).

Both researchers have been consulted widely by the media (E2). Malik has made over 100 media contributions since 2014, including 40 appearances on BBC Urdu (part of BBC World Service, BBC Urdu is watched by millions on TV and has highest radio reach among international broadcasters in Pakistan). He has contributed to Beyond Belief on BBC Radio 4, as well as being featured on international (France 24), national (Skai Television, Greece; Dunya TV, Pakistan) and local media (Awaaz Community Radio; High Wycombe). Hackett has acted as an academic expert for BBC Radio 4, and has been interviewed by numerous publications, including the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo and The Economist (E2). Both researchers frequently write pieces for public-facing blogs and websites including The Conversation, the Centre of Islamic Studies at SOAS’s MuslimWise blog, and the North American Conference on British Studies (NACBS) blog (E2).

A Senior Journalist at BBC Urdu TV highlights the importance of Malik’s contributions on the network, noting that the BBC World Service has a global audience of hundreds of millions (over 300 million people a week in 2020) which includes “students, policy makers, opinion formers, women and influencers in those societies” (E3). The Senior BBC Journalist stated that Malik “with his measured opinion and analysis especially on extremely sensitive topics” had “played a vital role in enhancing cross-cultural understandings of such issues and also helped BBC audience to make better informed choices/decisions” (E3).

Hackett’s research “provided the backbone” of one episode of Neither There Nor Here on BBC Radio 4; the Series Producer was drawn to her research due to the ways in which it “stressed the positives, for example the flowering of an entrepreneurial spirit among Turks in [Bremen] which enabled many to achieve social mobility and a sense of belonging in Germany” and noted that following the broadcast a “number of people later commented to me that they now had a firm grasp on a subject of which they had hitherto been completely ignorant” (E4).

Malik is founding member of the Muslim Institute, a Fellowship society of thinkers, academics, artists, creatives and professionals with approximately 150 Fellows, which sits at the intersection of academia and wider society, providing a forum for critical thought and creativity. Malik is a frequent contributor (E2) to the Muslim Institute’s public talks, online debates, and its publication Critical Muslim (of which Malik is an associate editor). Critical Muslim is a quarterly print and online publication with an international readership in the thousands which encourages engagement from non-academic audiences. The Director of the Muslim Institute stated that Malik’s “accessible and approachable style” captured the imagination of those seeking to understand Islamic history, “as he provides a platform for marginalised voices in his work and interrogates dominant narratives by uncovering erstwhile unknown stories, bringing them to life” (E1). Malik’s involvement in the Muslim Institute and with Critical Muslim have also had an important impact on young Muslims in the UK:

Young people I have spoken to have said that after listening to Professor Malik’s talks and reading his essays in Critical Muslim, they are learning for the first time the immense contribution of Islamic societies to knowledge production and our understanding of the world. (E1)

Professor Malik’s display of a rich and multifaceted history offers [young Muslims] a chance to understand this identity as embracing and open and not limited and limiting. But even more than that, it additionally also offers young non-Muslims in the UK a chance to understand Islam and Muslim neighbours, co-students and fellow citizens as belonging to traditions and histories that are not inherently alien but that belongs to a common world. (E5)

In addition to media appearances and national and international events, both researchers have been involved in events aimed at local audiences and ethnic minority community members, addressing topics such as integration and social cohesion. Examples include large public-facing events ‘Representations of Difference’ in (November 2013) that promoted reflection, dialogue and discussion on the social implications of representations of difference, and ‘Migration: Facts, Experiences, and Conversations with Refugees’ (September 2017), which offered an opportunity to find out about the reality of the refugee experience (E2). Between 2013 and 2020, Hackett and Malik gave 38 public talks to over 3000 people in the UK alone, addressing audiences that included archivists, community leaders, police officers, policymakers, refugees and teachers, as well as interested members of the public (E2).

Changing archival and museographic practice in order to give a voice to Muslim migrant communities

Hackett’s research revealed that the lack of archives relating to Muslim communities in the UK hindered academic exploration of their histories (E6a, p59). Through oral history interviews, Hackett was able to create archival documents relating to the history of Muslim migrant communities and, in doing so, had a positive impact on those populations, by giving them the chance to reflect on and reveal their personal migratory experiences, and providing them with a voice and a sense of agency: “amongst the interviewees there was often a sense of pride, delight, and sometimes intrigue, that there existed an interest in capturing the voices of such small rural Muslim communities” (R4).

To make minority histories available in a sustainable way, Hackett took part in The National Archives (TNA) ‘Collections at Risk’ project in 2016-2017, playing a key role in examining how (if at all) immigration and minority communities are represented in archival material in Britain. Hackett worked with a member of the Muslim community and TNA in order to identify areas of risk and opportunities for development (E6a, p59). Working on TNA’s project allowed Hackett to help shape recommendations for the creation of new and the development of existing archives. Impacts of this project included establishing that Muslim communities would welcome advice and support on how to develop and maintain their collections and acknowledging the importance of sustained recognition of the Muslim community by archives and in higher education.

Hackett’s involvement in this project helped to break down misconceptions between groups and to establish a collaborative way forward in documenting the histories of Muslim communities in the UK (TNA). An Archival Consultant involved in the ‘Collections at Risk’ project said that Hackett’s “ insights were eyeopeners in terms of helping the archival sector understand the context of Muslim life in relation to recordkeeping. They would inform any further work the sector undertakes in collaborating with the Muslim community” (E6b).

Bath Spa University research has also shifted museographic practice. Hackett was an advisor for a new permanent gallery, “Destination Tyneside”, which opened at Newcastle upon Tyne’s Discovery Museum in July 2013. The gallery celebrates migration to, and the diversity of, Tyneside and was created after research by the museum revealed that minority ethnic communities in Tyneside felt that their stories, histories and voices weren’t represented within the museum (E7a, p5). Gallery content relating to Muslim migration was informed by Hackett’s research and publications, as well as Hackett’s involvement through meetings and discussions with the curators. The project curator stated that Hackett’s research “helped to give shape to the stories of migrants who have, over time, become an important part of the north east community and economy through long-established businesses” (E7b). The response to the new gallery was positive, and it expanded the museum’s reach to include visitors from a wider range of ethnicities and backgrounds, as well as causing a significant number of visitors to rethink their views and opinions about migrants and migration on Tyneside (E7a, p14). One visitor said that exploring the gallery had helped them to feel they “belong to the International culture of Tyneside”, while a visitor of Yemini origin had learnt for the first time about the Yemeni community which has been based in South Shields, a town at the mouth of the River Tyne, since the late 1800s (E7a, p13). The project curator concluded that:

the addition of Sarah’s work on the Asian migration and migrant experiences in Newcastle upon Tyne has been significant in stimulating conversation, supporting a better understanding and recognition of the positive contribution migrants make to the north east in cultural and economic terms. (E7b)

Training public sector staff, civil servants, diplomats and military and security personnel

Hackett and Malik have played an important role in training events that help to broaden attendees’ understanding of specific topics and issues, or familiarise them with a specific country or situation. These training events range from tailored sessions for individuals to briefings for groups of up to 100 people. Between them, Hackett and Malik ran 15 training events between 2014 and 2019, training a minimum of 140 people from a variety of backgrounds, including public sector staff, civil servants, diplomats, and military and security personnel (E2). Hackett has participated in regional training days on topics concerning faith and cultural awareness and has also taken part in small training events on the topic of integration. These events have been attended by Wiltshire County Council Community Engagement Managers and members/representatives of local ethnic minority communities. The training centred on the importance of integration and community cohesion in Wiltshire (E2).

Malik’s research expertise has led to ongoing work in training British Civil Servants, Diplomats, and EU officials. This training includes sessions for the Royal College of Defence Studies, the highly selective senior college of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom which trains senior members of national and international military and diplomatic organisations. Malik’s long-term association with Farnham Castle Intercultural Training has led to a focus on delivering bespoke Specialised Briefings to the Defence Sector, their Support Staff (and families) working in Pakistan; delivering 12 training sessions between 2014 and 2019 (E2). These briefings provided informed insights into the current political and economic situation, guidance about social ethics and etiquette, and support in enhancing cross-cultural communication skills. The Director of the training centre said “The feedback we receive from our delegates on Prof Malik’s work is, without exception, outstanding. They often take the time to specifically comment that they feel much better prepared for their roles as a result of their training” (E8). Examples of this feedback demonstrate the impact of these sessions: “I shall have a better understanding of the country and its challenges which will help me every day”; “I was very impressed by Professor Malik and his immense knowledge on Pakistan”; “Everything discussed was relevant and very interesting. It’s been a great basis to build on once I get there” (E8).

Morton’s research has made important contributions to the ongoing debate on repatriation and had an impact on three key areas: policy and practice at the Royal College of Surgeons; sector practice and public understanding; fostering relationships with Indigenous communities.

Impact on Policy and Practice at RCS

Morton has made an important contribution to RCS policy and practice relating to the impacts of the repatriations, the current and future role of the human remains still in the collections and the potential for maintaining the relationships formed as part of the return process (E3). The debate around repatriation tends to centre on art historical and ethnographic collections and museums; Morton’s work in the context of the RCS is significant, since it highlights the repatriation of human remains from medical collections, resulting in a widening of the discussion and opening up new issues for debate not only among curators, but also the medical and scientific stakeholders of the collection.

Based on Morton’s research “the records the museum holds on repatriated material became recognised, collections records were enhanced and the details of the repatriations made available to staff and trustees” (E1). This has allowed RCS to respond to requests for information about their current and former holdings. The Director of Museums and Special Collections at RCS stated that Morton’s research has supported the RCS to respond to requests for information about their current and former holdings:

An example being the evidence submitted to the Parliament of New South Wales in October 2019 in response to an enquiry about the whereabouts of the head of Pemulwuy, an Aboriginal warrior and political leader who has become a publicly recognised historical figure and subject of a high-profile repatriation campaign. (E1)

Information from the RCS archives was also provided to National Museum Australia (NMA). Although this information had been returned with the ancestral remains in 2003, Morton’s research revealed that it had become separated from the remains and NMA did not have a copy and were not aware there was any further information held at RCS. As information about repatriated remains is key in being able to return them to the right community this was an important outcome of the project as it aided ongoing repatriation work.

Morton’s research has been used to inform collections policy and decisions. Notably, Morton presented the key project findings to the RCS Board of Trustees in 2018 to directly inform their discussion about the future display of the remains of Charles Byrne (popularly known as the ‘Irish Giant’, whose remains were on display in the Hunterian Museum at the RCS as an example of gigantism from the early 19th century until 2018), while her research has also impacted on wider discussions of the treatment of Charles Byrne after his death (E4).

Summarising the impact of Morton’s research, the Keeper of Science & Technology at National Museums Scotland (former Director of Museums and Archives at the Royal College of Surgeons of England) stated that the Legacies of Repatriation of Human Remains project had allowed the RCS to:

to enhance its knowledge base associated with the remaining non-European collection, further develop and revise its policies on the treatment and use of human remains, and contribute to policy making and professional development within the museum sector. The project also provided resources and empirical evidence to inform future discussions around repatriation, the treatment of human remains retained within collections and the development of relations with communities to whom remains have been repatriated. (E5)

The current Head of Museum Collections at RCS stated the importance of medical museums having “the same high standards of ethics that govern medical practice more generally” and asserted that Morton’s review of past repatriation had better informed “practices related to the care, use and display of human tissue today” (E2).

Informing Sector Practice and Public Understanding

Morton’s work has informed sector approaches to repatriation through participation in events and workshops, and through the contribution to open access resources. These events allowed professionals from international museums to come together “to share their experiences of caring for human remains within a museum context, share experiences of repatriation and also to discuss the use of human remains in past, present and future in research” (E2).

Morton has also taken an active role in the recent Museum Ethnographers Group (MEG) events Restitution: A View from the Regions (July 2019; approximately 30 attendees) and Decolonisation at the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Brussels (February 2020; 6 MEG members met with 4 staff from the museum) during which conversation between colleagues over the 3 days included restitution and repatriation. MEG are an international collective, whose members include museum professionals, academics, researchers & students, artists, activists and enthusiasts; their events focus on continual professional development for museum professionals and offer members “time to reflect” (E7). They have been evaluated as “tremendously rewarding…” “I’ve come away with lots of ideas for doing things back at work” (E7). The ongoing events on repatriation have been a place where MEG members are supported and are able to ask questions and get advice in a friendly, supportive environment. The Chair of MEG has stated that discussion and support on this subject is important: “The urgency of acknowledging and working through the colonial nature of our institutions and collections is crucial, but many are working in isolation with little, or unstable, institutional support… In other contexts there is the institutional will, coupled with anxiety over risks to funding. We feel sharing best practice and making changes collectively can help” (E7). Morton’s involvement in MEG events contributes to this support network.

Morton’s report on the legacies of the repatriation of human remains from The Royal College of Surgeons of England stands as a valuable resource, not only for the organisations involved in the research (E3), but also by forming part of the Museum Ethnographers Group (MEG) Repatriation Resource, a free, open access resource for museum professions, originating communities, research institutions and anyone interested in museums and repatriation. The resource aims to extend MEG’s “advocacy and support to museum colleagues and originating communities globally” (E7). In this way, Morton’s research provides new knowledge to a wide network of museum experts and has initiated new discussions about creating new models of best practice for managing archives and documentation relating to repatriation.

Morton’s research has also been used to inform the wider public debates around restitution and decolonisation. This has included contributing to a Higher Education Today debate in February 2017 (E6), which has over 1480 views on YouTube, and responding to journalists enquires about repatriation. In a contribution to an article in the Guardian on repatriation (23^rd April 2019), which generated 538 comments from the public, Morton highlighted some of the key findings from her research, and added nuance to an often polarised debate by stating that ‘[t]here’s more thinking about collections from the point of view of how things were acquired and the circumstances they were taken in […] people are addressing the colonial foundations of museums and challenging that” (E6).

Fostering Relationships with Indigenous Communities

In addition to contributing to new knowledge and understandings of the difficulties and complexities that emerge after repatriation, the time spent by Morton in Australia and New Zealand interviewing and talking with representatives from Indigenous groups worked to “develop and foster relationships with recipient communities” (E2).

Undertaking research in Australia and New Zealand also allowed Morton to feed into the Australian Research Council Funded Return, Reconcile, Renew project (2014-2020). She has contributed to the project publications and online resources (E9), which aim “to raise awareness and understanding about repatriation and assist repatriation practitioners and researchers in their efforts to bring Old People home” (E9). A member of the Repatriation Team at Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand's National Museum stated:

[Morton’s] work in the area of repatriation as part of the Return Reconcile Renew Project has been a real asset for those working in the South Pacific. Her knowledge and understanding of the collection and subsequent return of Ancestral Human Remains held in UK institutions has been an important addition to the project over all. Her work has already had an impact on museums to better understand repatriation, and will continue to do so going forward into the future, as she continues to provide the academic and museum sectors with valuable research into understanding our relationships with our Ancestors. (E8)

A senior member of the Return, Reconcile, Renew project stated that Morton “has used her research experience with RRR to feed into one of the key conversations to come out of the MEG events - an increasing appreciation of the importance of the repatriation archives, particularly the recognition that these archives contain Indigenous knowledge” (E9). By identifying that the archives are also important records of Indigenous activism and involvement in repatriation, Morton’s research has supported an ongoing process of decolonisation by creating and sharing the repatriation archive. She was able to provide information held by RCS to Indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii along with the final project report.

This information and the project findings have been used to support research, education and activism around repatriation. However, in order to not reinforce colonial power relations, it was not felt to be ethical to ask Indigenous communities to provide testimonials for a process that will not provide any support for that community. This follows the ethical procedures agreed from the start of the research.