Research Impacts

In recent years government funding for universities has focussed increasingly on the demonstrable impact of excellent research on society and the economy.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) define impact as the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy. Economic and societal impacts embrace all the extremely diverse ways in which research-related knowledge and skills benefit individuals, organisations and nations by:

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

RCUK now requires grant applicants to consider the potential impact that their research might have by including a Pathways to Impact and an Impact Summary in grant proposals. Guidance on creating Pathways to Impact and an Impact Summary is available here (Password Protected).

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs), replacing the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and will be completed in 2014. Each university has to submit subject case studies based on the number of FTEs per department. If you have any questions about impact case studies or the REF contact Sarah Manning Press.