Understanding impact

Presenter: Meghan Rainsberry, CLOSER, University College London

Author: Meghan Rainsberry

Longitudinal studies are designed to address some of the most important challenges facing our society today. Researchers using these data are charting social and biosocial change, and untangling the reasons behind it. Their findings are often powerful and widely relevant. Impact is becoming integrated in the very research process, a shift largely driven by our funders. Today, much of our academic success can be measured by the impact our work achieves. This workshop will look at the impact process from start to finish, illustrated with actual case studies of where longitudinal research has made a difference. The opening session will provide an overview of what impact is, why researchers should care about it, and what the main challenges are in achieving impact. Delegates will then have an opportunity to put this learning into practice. Working in small groups, delegates will be asked to come up with an ‘impact plan’ for a piece of research. The plans will be presented to a panel of experts, including representatives from government, academia, and higher education funders, who will provide feedback and recommendations. The session will end with an open discussion of the key opportunities and challenges in achieving research impact.