IMPACT SOS
Dr Ann Kinzer, Research Excellence Team (RET)
For many of us Covid-19 brought new challenges and worries, both in the private as well as in the professional sphere. With regards to our academic work, the development of impact case studies can be particularly concerning.
‘I had impact activities planned for the summer that won’t go ahead. What can I do?’ ‘Because of travel restrictions, I cannot do xyz’. ‘Focus groups, film screenings, public panel discussions have stalled as a result of Covid-19‘
If you are finding yourself having any of these thoughts, please note that you are not alone and that we would like to help you to come up with a Plan B. Below are some ideas with regards to how we can disseminate research and generate impact despite everything that’s going on.
Online conference, panel discussion, focus group…
Who is this for? This option is for anyone, who planned an impact event, such as a policy debate, a panel debate, a focus group, or a conference.
How can I generate impact from this? This depends on your project, but material captured from the event could be used as evidence. You could, however, also ask participants for feedback/testimonies (which your impact officers can help you develop).
Why do you think this is a good idea? Many academics will have already gathered experience with events being moved online and are likely to find this an easy format to use. The support from KMTV for when it comes to filming events can also be invaluable in terms of gathering impact evidence. If you are planning a longer event (e.g. a conference) and are wanting to organise it yourself, having the option to move it online gives you the advantage to just be able to get on with it: No funding applications to fill in, no catering to worry about – and potentially still quite a few important stake holders around the table.
Please contact us if you wish to plan an online event. We have excellent proven facilities for this at the University with the help of KMTV.
Bonus tip: You can also organise virtual coffee breaks and get smaller groups of people together in virtual break out rooms for those.
Make a podcast/videocast (and share it)
Who is this for? This is an interesting option for anyone whose impact has to do with changing understanding, as it can help to generate quick feedback. It could, however, also be beneficial to raise awareness to a particular issue or to advertise a product that was developed thanks research (thus potentially supporting stakeholders to generate sales). Once you have your pod cast, you can post it on your staff page, or better perhaps your project social media site or website. Ideally you should find one platform where people can comment on it though and use all other channels available to you in order to point towards this. This will enable you to collect audience feedback in one place.
How can I generate impact from this? It’s all about the feedback/comments, unless of course you are planning to use this to sale a product, in which case you are still after the good old sale stats (e.g. from Companies House).
Why do you think this is a good idea?
Once you got a grasp of the technical side, this can be a good way to develop something that can generate a swift response and with people spending so much time online these days, it really can be a good way to actually engage the public. It is also something that has the potential to grow into something larger. Note, however that there are a few does and don’ts. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to say in your podcast why you are doing something (rather than to just jump into what you’re doing). It is also a good idea to actively invite people to engage and to have an idea with regards to how you want them to do this (you could for example give them a question at the end of the talk that can be debated in the comments) or invite them to email you. The key thing for when it comes to generating impact will also be to keep the engagement with your audience going to a certain point. What works for you will of course also depend on your project. Please, do talk to your impact officers though, as they will be able to advise and to help you develop a strategy.
Create your own website/blog (and link it to your University staff page)
Who is this for?
A website is useful for any kind of project and it can equally be an essential tool for when it comes to promoting a spin off company/a product or something along these lines that developed thanks to your research. It can be a good way to set a focus on a particular thing and is thus useful to have in addition to your staff website (which aims to give a more complete picture over your development, your research, impact, teaching, in many cases covering 10+ years).
How do I generate impact from this?
A website that is dedicated to a particular project of yours, which is linked through your staff profile clearly puts it out there (University websites to score high in search engine results). As you can see with both sample webpages, there is also the option for people to directly get in touch (meaning it can be a good networking tool). Alternatively, you could also invite stake holders to contribute (in which case you might under certain circumstances even be able to use some of the page content as evidence). Again, your REF Impact Officers are happy to advise you.
Why do you think this is a good idea?
Because a website is something that can really showcase a project and it’s very simple to create.
What if there is something else?
Again, do please come and talk to us. We are happy to help and to advise. Equally, if you have found another way to generate impact, please do let us know. We really do want to know what is working for you and share best practice.
Please know that we are here to support you and please do contact your REF Impact Officers for advice. Ann, Jess and the RET team are looking forward to hearing from you (and we do welcome impact at all stages, so please do feel free to also drop us a line if you are new to impact and would like to discuss future plans). Email: ref2021@kent.ac.uk
*Credit for these dissemination ideas and links provided need to be given to Adair Richards: http://www.adairrichards.com