Ruth Williams Senior Policy Manager Research Councils UK - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Public Engagement with Research as a Pathway to Impact Ruth Williams Senior Policy Manager Research Councils UK www.rcuk.ac.uk/per

Presentation Summary • Impact description • Pathways to Impact guidance • Public Engagement as a Pathway to Impact • Top tips! • Questions

RCUK impact description RCUK describe 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.

Pathways to Impact • Think about the potential impacts of your research and the resources required from the outset. • The primary criterion for RCUK funding remains excellent research. • Beyond that there are a number of considerations, of which Pathways to Impact are one. • RCUK reserve the right to withhold the award of grant until Pathways to Impact are of a standard appropriate for the project.

The application • Impact summary  Who might benefit from this research?  How might they benefit from this research? • Pathways to Impact  What will be done to ensure that potential beneficiaries have the opportunity to benefit from this research?

Public engagement Can public engagement activities be regarded as pathways to potential economic and societal impacts?  Yes, provided that applicants clearly articulate and explain the specific contribution from these activities to the pathways to economic and societal impact.

Resources Can I request resources to fund the public engagement activities detailed in my Pathways to Impact?  Yes, all Research Councils provide resources to enable impact generating activities.  Applicants may request resources to cover the costs of eligible, project specific activity within their Pathways to Impact, unless applying via STFC where separate funding schemes for impact activities should be used.

High quality characteristics Common characteristics of Common characteristics of high problematic quality Pathways to quality Pathways to Impact Impact Vagueness, lack of specificity and clear Good consideration of the relevant deliverables. beneficiaries, user needs and tailored activities Activities are not project specific, but routine activities for University research posts or too Clear description of deliverables and much focus on track record. milestones. Lack of consideration of broader Involvement of users from the outset. beneficiaries, likely impacts and appropriate mechanisms. Clear commitment for realising both academic and non academic research Activities narrowly focused and end focused. impacts.

Top tips  Refer to the guidance on the RCUK Pathways to Impact web pages: www.rcuk.ac.uk/kei/impacts  Consider and include project specific costs.  How will you maximise benefits?  Two way engagement.