Following the successful implementation of the Impact Case Study Action Plans with our identified REF impact case study leads during 2018/19, and expanded more widely to include other researchers achieving impact in 2019/20, this process will be continued more strategically in the new academic year 2020/21.
The aim of these Plans is to set a number of SMART objectives to guide researchers through the development and monitoring of impact from their research projects as they progress.
Key areas of focus include:
- Completion of a stakeholder analysis to identify the main beneficiaries of any research activities so that they can be included and feed into each stage of the process
- Identification of training needs around impact (1-1 storytelling mentoring, writing retreats, impact workshops, communities of practice, bidding workshops etc.)
- Assessment of resources needed to encourage impact activity (Research Impact Fund, external funding sources)
- Pinpointing of ‘pathways to impact’, such as public engagement activities that will help to generate future impact
The intention is to introduce School Impact Leads during this academic year, who will work with specific research groupings within each School to identify and work with colleagues who are undertaking projects that are likely to generate real-world impact in the future. This includes recipients of internal impact funding (Research Impact Fund), recipients of HEIF funding from the Industry Collaboration team, recipients of KTP awards, as well as recipients of externally funded research projects (e.g. from Research Councils).
To find out more about the Impact Action Plans, please contact:
Emma Sutton, Impact, Engagement & Environment Coordinator at research-impact@salford.ac.uk
Why not take this opportunity to check out the impact resources available on our intranet site: https://www.salford.ac.uk/ref