Denicolo, P. (2014). Achieving impact in research. Los Angeles: SAGE.
This exciting text helps researchers to successfully understand and achieve impact in their research, and to demonstrate this impact in order to secure funding and to show excellence in REF.
Based on a three year research project studying the impact of academics on business, government and civil society sectors, this groundbreaking book undertakes the most thorough analysis yet of how academic research in the social sciences achieves public policy impacts, contributes to economic prosperity, and informs public understanding of policy issues.
Talented researchers find themselves faced with new challenges to act as managers and leaders rather than as individual scholars. They are responsible for the careers and professional development of others, and for managing interactions with university administrations and external stakeholders. Although many scientific and technological disciplines have long been organized in this way, few resources have been created to help leaders understand their roles and responsibilities and to reflect on their practice.
Part VI - Planning for impact
Part VII - Delivering impact
"In recent years, the importance of impact has grown considerably. It is now commonplace for funding bodies to request an impact plan in applications for research funding. Angela remembers writing at least three kinds of impact statements in the same funding application. These included an impact summary, a pathways to impact document and a section in the case for support under the required heading, ‘Outcomes, impact and dissemination’. Such documents describe the application of the research and how it can be exploited; how the research will engage with others and be appropriately communicated; the potential for collaboration and co-production of knowledge; and, the capacity for involving others and creating a legacy from the research."