David Mulligan: Impact!
Transcript of David Mulligan: Impact!
David Mulligan
Research Impact Officer (Panel A)
Planning Office
31st January 2011
Impact!
David Mulligan
Research Impact Officer (Panel A)
Planning Office
31st January 2011
Impact?
Two questions around impact...
1. What difference does research make outside academia?
2. Demonstrating the “reach and significance” of the impact in REF 2014?
My background: NPL and RDAs
Economic impact: Russell Group
“A sample of such
breakthroughs
included in this
report generated
combined wealth
of almost £2bn”
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
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.
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
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, policies or understanding of commerce, industry or other organisations, governments, communities or individuals
Key message...
Outcomes
(not outputs)
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