College of Social Sciences

What is research impact?

Impact is the demonstrable contribution that research makes to society and the economy—to communities beyond academia.

It must represent an evidenced, measurable effect, change or benefit to:

• activities, attitudes, awareness, behaviour, capacity, opportunity, performance, policy, practice, process or understanding;

Delivered to:

• an audience, beneficiary, community, constituency, organisation or individuals in any geographic location (whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally);

Impact begins with your research and can be developed through engagement with communities of research users, from specialist groups to companies, or members of the public.

Find out more about the impact potential of your research at our regular impact planning sessions

For support with your impact planning, get in touch with Lewis Thomson (REF Impact Officer).