The vision of the University’s Innovation Strategy 2021-2026 is to be recognised as a global leader of challenge-led research and solutions-focussed enterprise, delivering responsible innovation for economic, environmental and social impact. ‘Impact’ is defined in the broadest sense, encompassing positive benefits for academic research, business and wider society, across any type and size of organisation, and for individuals and communities at a local, national, or international level. The Strategy seeks to expand the existing impact framework to enterprise and engagement activity for effective monitoring and management, ensuring measurable added value to partners and wider society.
With this in mind, the Research Impact and Public Engagement Fund is offering individuals and groups up to £3000 that must be match-funded by their School/Research Centre, in support of activities that reflect the University’s desire to increase the impact and reach of its research and knowledge exchange for future REF and KEF exercises and more widely.
Applications should be aligned to one or more of the following themes:
- Strengthening interaction – seeking to nurture and build upon relationships with non-academic partners, aligning with the University’s Industry Collaboration strategy
- Broadening research – in line with REF and funder requirements, to expand the reach and influence of research outcomes, in addition to introducing greater partner contribution into the design of future research
- Promoting social benefit – in line with KEF, demonstrating how the application of research-based knowledge might lead to practical and focused solutions at a range of scales
Suggested Activities
The following list is not exhaustive:
- The translation of research findings for non-academic audiences (e.g. policy reports, leaflets, audio-visual materials, etc.)
- Events or workshops with a focus on non-academic stakeholders (dissemination or activity-based)
- The trialling of creative modes of public engagement (e.g. exhibitions or film screenings)
- The commercialisation of research findings through IP protection and/or business engagement
- The formation or strengthening of networks outside academia (e.g. visits/meetings to build relationships, or the initial development of a web/social media platform)
- The development of pedagogical materials (e.g. online training resources or ‘train the trainer’ sessions)
The 2021/22 Fund opens again for new applications at the start of September, with a deadline of Friday, 29th October 2021.
Further details and the application form can be found in the Funding section of this blog site.
If you would like to find out more about the Research Impact and Public Engagement Fund, or impact in general, please contact Emma Sutton, REF, KEF and Impact Manager on research-impact@salford.ac.uk