1) The document discusses two questions around research impact: what difference research makes outside of academia, and how to demonstrate the reach and significance of impact for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. 2) It provides examples of economic impact from research, including over £2 billion in combined wealth generated from breakthroughs at Russell Group universities, and £45 billion in additional annual output for UK companies from £3.5 billion spent annually on public research. 3) The Research Excellence Framework defines impact as effects on the economy, society, culture, public policy, health, environment or quality of life beyond academia, including reducing negative effects. Impact will be assessed based on its reach and significance.

1. Impact!
David Mulligan
Research Impact Officer (Panel A)
Planning Office
31st January 2011

2. Impact?
David Mulligan
Research Impact Officer (Panel A)
Planning Office
31st January 2011

3. Two questions around impact...
1.
What difference does research make outside
academia?
2.
Demonstrating the “reach and significance” of
the impact in REF 2014?

4. My background: NPL and RDAs

5. Economic impact: Russell Group
“A sample of such
breakthroughs
included in this
report generated
combined wealth
of almost £2bn”

6. Economic impact: public research
Suggests the
£3.5 billion a year
currently spent on
publicly funded
research generates
an additional annual
output of £45 billion
in UK companies

7. REF definition of Impact


Impact is an effect on, change or benefit to the
economy, society, culture, public policy or
services, health, the environment or quality of life
beyond academia.
This includes a reduction or prevention of negative
effects inc harm, risk and cost.
– Excluded are: impacts on research or knowledge within the HE
sector and on learning or other activities at this University
– Included are: other impacts within the HE sector, including on
teaching or students, where they extend significantly beyond
this University.

8. How will expert panels assess
impact?

Panels will use two criteria when assessing
impact:
– Reach
– Significance

No geographical restrictions on reach and significance –
impact can be in the UK or elsewhere

Assessment will use 1-4 starred scale plus unclassified
Each main panel is publishing indicative examples of types
of impact envisaged for their UoAs


9. Defining reach and significance
• Reach - the extent and breadth of the
beneficiaries of the impact
• Significance - the degree to which the impact
has enabled, enriched, influenced, informed or
changed the
products, services, performance, practices, policie
s or understanding of commerce, industry or other
organisations, governments, communities or
individuals

10. Key message...
Outcomes
(not outputs)

11. David Mulligan
x49134
d.r.mulligan@bham.ac.uk