This document provides guidance on identifying research impact. It defines research impact as the benefits to individuals, groups, organizations, and society that are caused by research. Several types of impact are discussed, such as economic, environmental, social, technological, health/wellbeing, and cultural impacts. Stakeholders who may be interested in or influenced by one's research are identified through techniques like stakeholder analysis in order to maximize research impact.
4. The good that
researchers do
in the world
Reed (The Research Impact Handbook)
“Perceived and/or demonstrable benefits to individuals,
groups, organisations and society (including human and non-
human entities in the present and future) that are causally
linked (necessarily or sufficiently) to research.”
Reed et al. (2020) Research Policy
Question:
What is impact?
5. The good that
researchers do
in the world
Benefit
Question:
Types of impact
Which one of the
following is not a type
of impact, based on
this definition:
• Economic
• Environmental
• Social
• Technological
• Health/wellbeing
• Cultural
Vote
now
6. The good that
researchers do
in the world
Question:
Types of impact
What interim/initial
impacts might you
see on the
pathway to
impact?
For example:
• Increased
awareness or
understanding of
an issue…
Google
Jamboard
7.
8.
9.
10. Identify indirect impacts (by others that applied your
work) e.g. via citation analysis
Do a stakeholder analysis and initiate conversations
with those who might be interested in your field of
work beyond the academy
Or use the tool to identify more applied researchers
who may collaborate with you
Develop an applied research arm without losing your
identity as a non-applied researcher
Evaluating Impact
Impact of non-applied research
11. Attribution is the causal link between claimed
impacts and underpinning research
Significance is the degree to which the impact
has enriched, influence, informed or changed
policies, practices, products, opportunities or
perceptions of individuals, communities or
organisations
Reach is the extent and diversity of the
communities, environments, individuals,
organisations or any other beneficiaries that may
have been impacted by the research
Evaluating Impact
Evaluating Impact
12. The heart of the impact agenda in…
1 metaphor
1 word
17. See my blog for advance stakeholder analysis methods:
https://www.fasttrackimpact.com/blog
Who has a stake in my research?
Stakeholder analysis
18. Who has a stake in my research?
1. Who is interested (or not)?
2. Who has influence (to facilitate or block
impact)?
3. Who is impacted (positively or negatively)?
Why?
Stakeholder analysis: 3i’s
20. See a worked example on my vlog: https://www.fasttrackimpact.com/vlog
Who has a stake in my research?
Impact planning
21.
22.
23. Who has a stake in my research?
What did you take from this exercise?
For example:
Did you find it difficult or have any issues?
Did you see your stakeholders in a new light?
Have you set yourself any actions based on
what you learned?
Stakeholder analysis: 3i’s
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24. Who has a stake in my research?
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