As the REF draws ever closer, thoughts are now turning to impact and how to ensure that the University’s research is demonstrating impact beyond academia and making a real difference in the wider world. This raises a number of questions about what constitutes impact and impact evidence, where this should be stored, when it should be collected and how it can be enhanced.
In order to help researchers to gain a better understanding of research impact and what it means to them, a training programme designed specifically around impact is being rolled out across the University in the coming months.
Upcoming internal training and events
Future training will be tailored to meet individual needs in terms of impact. For example, you might be looking for a taster session to learn what research impact is all about, or maybe you are an early career researcher bidding for funding for the first time. Perhaps you are a mid-career or senior researcher who needs some advice on collection of impact evidence. Whatever your requirements, there is something to suit every level and discipline.
Events of note include:
Monday, 16 April 2018: Impact writing workshop with Chris Simms
Chris from the Royal Literary Fund will be visiting the University again to hold a sessions around writing for impact, creating a narrative and telling a story.
To book: https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/students/events/Detail/597635/staff-development-new-to-impac
Thursday, 3 May 2018: Fast Track Impact workshop with Prof Mark Reed
Mark returns for the first of two workshops, this one focusing on generating and evaluating impact, as well as how to maximise your social media presence for enhanced impact.
To book: https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/students/events/Detail/597641/staff-development-fast-track-t
Monday, 25 June 2018 – Friday, 20 July 2018: University of Salford Festival of Research
A month-long programme of events celebrating and promoting the University’s valuable research. This will include the popular PGR event ‘SPARC’ (Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference) on 4 + 5 July 2018, as well as an impact ‘writing retreat’ on 3 July 2018 for budding impact case study writers
Wednesday, 27 June 2018: Fast Track Impact case study writing workshop with Prof Mark Reed
Mark will focus specifically on the REF and what makes a good impact case study, how to improve your writing around impact, as well as evidence collection tips.
To book: https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/students/events/Detail/597642/staff-development-fast-track-t
From September 2018 a suite of workshops specifically around impact will be embedded into the staff development programme (SECRET) – further information will be available shortly.
Why not take this opportunity to look at the upcoming training, meetings and events information on our REF Intranet site at: https://teamsite.salford.ac.uk/sites/sc02/REF2021/SitePages/Training.aspx
External training
Alternatively, why not sign up for the free 5-week impact online training course run by Fast Track Impact?
Each session comprises 6-minute video and a short reading. After each session, you will be given tasks to complete within your own research before the next session:
- Introduction: Five ways to fast track your impact
- Week 1: Envision your impact
- Week 2: Plan for impact
- Week 3: Cut back anything hindering or distracting you from your impact
- Week 4: Get specific about the impacts you will seek and the people who can help you achieve impact this month
- Week 5: Achieve your first step towards impact and monitor your success
Further details can be found here: http://www.fasttrackimpact.com/for-researchers