An Introduction to Research Impact Background

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the impact of academic research on the economy and society. Researchers are now expected to give thought to the impacts of their research, both prospectively in grant applications and retrospectively, in demonstrating the past impacts of research as part of the overall assessment of research excellence. Research impacts can take years to realise, and so early career academics who aim to create opportunities for impact as part of their future plans will create career advantage for themselves.

The impact of research can take many forms, including social, economic, environmental and cultural impacts, which vary widely between disciplines. Activities which lead to impact can include research communications, engagement with policymakers, commercialisation, and collaborative research to name a few.

This document aims to provide an overview of the various routes to research impact and to signpost you to sources of further information.

A number of different organisations have defined research impact using varying forms of words, although the underlying concept is generally similar. The RCUK definition makes a distinction between academic and economic/societal impact as follows.

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  fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom,
  
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  increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy,
  
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  enhancing quality of life, health and creative output.
  

Pathways to impact will always involve people from outside academia, so your first step in creating impact is to identify those groups. First ask yourself two questions: Who might benefit from this research? How might they benefit from this research?

Groups of research users or beneficiaries outside the academic research community may include:

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  government policy makers
  

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  public service providers such as defence, health, education
  
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  local government organisations
  
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  businesses –identify the sector/s, supply chains
  
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  trade organisations and intermediaries
  
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  arts and heritage organisations
  
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  medical charities and patient support groups
  
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  NGOs
  
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  Other charities
  
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  individual citizens
  

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  Improving health and wellbeing
  
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  Wealth creation, economic prosperity and regeneration
  
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  Enhancing the research capacity, knowledge and skills of public, private and third sector organisations
  
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  Changing organisational culture and practices
  
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  Enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of organisations including public services and businesses
  
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  Attracting R&D investment
  
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  Improving social welfare, social cohesion and/or national security
  
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  Commercialisation and exploitation
  
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  Enhancing cultural enrichment and quality of life
  
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  Environmental sustainability, protection and impact
  
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  Evidence-based policy making and influencing public policies
  
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  Increasing public engagement with research and related societal issues
  

The first place to start engaging with users of research is with any existing contacts you may have. Include any friends with relevant jobs, or others in your department who have industry links. Many people will be happy to pass on their knowledge of different sectors and industries. The Internet is also an invaluable tool for desk research to help build your knowledge base of the key organisations in your research user groups, their priorities and the people who are key influencers.

Aim to identify potential groups though which you can make meaningful contact with research users. Specialist networking groups, industry associations, standards committees or professional bodies can give you access to a large number of professionals and organisations in a particular field. The Innovate UK (formerly Technology Strategy Board) connect website is a useful source of information on technology and innovation networks in a wide range of fields. Be prepared to have your assumptions about your users’ needs challenged, and have the flexibility to take new points of view on board.

Communications

Consider how you can make information about you and your research available in an accessible format for user communities. You could start with a personal webpage, and add links to papers, articles, videos and podcasts. Here is an example of an academic‘s personal webpage which attracts considerable consultancy enquiries from businesses. Hugh Hunt

Communication channels specifically targeted at your user community could include articles in (non-academic) specialist publications, journals and magazines, posters and talks at conferences and events.

The University’s Communications team publicises developments in research through the Research Horizons publication and through the University website.

Public engagement is recognised as a route to impact in its own right, and in inspiring future generations to academic study. The University’s Public Engagement team run a highly successful programme of events including the Festival of Ideas and Cambridge Science Festival. They also provide training in public engagement for researchers and academic staff and can advise on Pathways to Impact.

The Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge is a leading centre in promoting links between scientific research and policy-makers and can advise on pathways to policy impact. The Centre runs a number of programmes including Policy Fellowships, Policy Professional Development Workshops, policy internships for researchers, and ESRC funded Policy Challenges.

Media activities could include interaction with broadcast media, press briefing/releases, press conferences/interviews, radio/TV appearance. The University’s News Team can provide support in managing media relations including press briefing/releases, press conferences/interviews, and radio/TV appearances.

Relationships with research users to actively engage with your ongoing research can take a range of forms depending on the needs of the business or user group, and their access to finance.

Involving beneficiaries in the initial design of a research project could increase the potential up-take and application of the research. Users can also be involved in steering the direction of ongoing research through consultations and advisory groups, which can help inform and guide the research.

Formal partnerships for investigating new areas of mutual interest can include collaborative research, sponsored research studentships, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and secondments from industry into the University and vice versa. The Technology Strategy Board, European Commission, and some charities run funding programmes which support collaborative research

Some Departments and Schools employ Research/Knowledge Transfer Facilitators who can support you in developing collaborations. The Research Operations Office supports academics in negotiating research contracts and administering research funding.

Commercialisation

Commercialisation of research results can be achieved by entering into licensing agreements with a company, creating a spin out business or through consultancy and commercial services.

Early stage funding to help exploit the results of research is available from sources such as EPSRC IAA Follow-on Fund; BBSRC Follow on Fund; STFC Innovations Partnership Scheme, MRC Confidence in Concept, AHRC Follow on Funding, Royal Society Brian Mercer Awards, RAEng Enterprise Fellowships.

Cambridge Enterprise works with University researchers and academics to help them commercialise their research and provide consultancy services to industry.

“A clearly thought through and acceptable Pathways to Impact is an essential component of a research proposal and a condition of funding. Grants will not be allowed to start until a clearly thought through and acceptable Pathways to Impact statement is received.

A clearly thought through and acceptable Pathways to Impact statement should:

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  be project-specific and not generalised;
  
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  be flexible and focus on potential outcomes;
  

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  identify and actively engage relevant users of research and stakeholders at appropriate stages;
  
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  articulate a clear understanding of the context and needs of users and consider ways for the proposed research to meet these needs or impact upon understandings of these needs;
  
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  outline the planning and management of associated activities including timing, personnel, skills, budget, deliverables and feasibility;
  
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  include evidence of any existing engagement with relevant end users.
  

When applying for Research Council funding via Je-S, pathways towards academic impact are expected to be outlined in the Academic Beneficiaries and appropriate Case for Support sections. An exception to this is where academic impact forms part of the critical pathway to economic and societal impact”.

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  Draft the Impact Summary very early in your preparation, so that it informs the design of your research.
  
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  Remember to consider and include project specific costs relating to proposed impact activities e.g. engagement workshops or marketing materials, publication costs, etc.
  
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  Do not cut and paste the text provided within the Impact Summary into Pathways to Impact. The purpose of the Impact Summary is to provide a short description of the beneficiaries and potential impacts, which could be used in the public domain. Pathways to Impact should set out what the applicant(s) will do to realise the potential impacts.
  
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  Public engagement is a popular form of impact activity. For such activities to be as effective as possible, try to think of your research in the context of two-way engagement not just outreach.
  

This selection of case studies illustrates the breadth of potential impacts from research. Many more are available on the RCUK and individual Research Councils’ websites.

Rheology of blood coagulation

Wheat breeding

Medical imaging

Greening up Antarctica

Applying religious history

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  RCUK Pathways to Impact
  
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  AHRC: http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Research-funding/RFG/Application-guidance/Pages/Pathways-to-Impact.aspx
  
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  BBSRC: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/impact/funding-impact-index.aspx
  
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  EPSRC: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/howtoapply/preparing/impactguidance/
  
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  ESRC: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/impact-toolkit/what-how-and-why/pathways/
  
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  MRC: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/funding/guidance-for-applicants/pathways-to-impact/
  
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  NERC: www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/information.asp
  
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  STFC: http://www.stfc.ac.uk/stfcimpacts
  

University of Cambridge EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account

University of Cambridge ESRC Impact Acceleration Account

Claire Higgitt