Assessing Excellence with Impact Ian Diamond ESRC

1. Assessing Excellence with Impact Ian Diamond ESRC

2. A Healthy & Vibrant Research Base An excellent research capability for the longer term Delivery of both academic and non-academic impact Underpinning the development of UK society, culture and economy (and beyond)

3. A Belief in Excellence • Research methods: • rigorous and repeatable • conducted to highest methodological standards • Intellectually and technically challenging • Shapes the research work of others • Changes our understanding of the world we live in • Assessed by peer review

4. Great research • Mixed Portfolio of Response and Managed Mode • A firm commitment to blue sky curiosity driven research • Scientific Excellence the sine qua non • Encourage interdisciplinarity and innovation • Work to assure peer review • A partnership with the academic community • Broad portfolio of opportunities to maximise impact with opportunities throughout the research lifecourse • New application processes

5. Public Expectations Increased investment in research Increased expectations of further enhancing benefits from research Increased obligation to demonstrate a greater impact from research

6. Research Councils UK Impact • To advance knowledge, understanding and technology, and provide trained researchers; • To build partnerships that enhance take-up and impact, thereby contributing to the: • economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom, • effectiveness of public services and policy, and • enhancement of the quality of life and creative output of the nation. *derived from the Royal Charters of the Research Councils

7. What do we Know About Impact? • UK research makes a huge contribution to society and the economy: both UK and global impacts • For the Research Councils we find: • Diversity of impacts across portfolio • Multiplicity of processes to achieve impact • Both expected impacts and serendipity • Impacts manifest at many scales: project, person, organisation etc • Time lags and multiplier effects • Researchers and research are enriched by impact • However, scope to articulate both potential impact and achievement more strongly

8. Maximising Impact • Factors (sometimes) influencing the likelihood and speed of impact (but sometimes it takes time): • Right project at right time • Entrepreneurial approach: within, beyond and after projects • Involvement of third parties, particularly as collaborating users

9. Impact Examples (from REF Consultation) • Social • Public Policy and Services • Health • Environmental • Cultural • QoL • Economic

10. Peer Review Operational Changes • Applicants to explain: • Academic Summary: how will this research contribute to knowledge? • Impact Summary: Who will benefit from this research? How? • Impact Planning: What you will do to ensure benefit? • Review and assessment • Peer reviewers to consider potential impact (where appropriate) when prioritising excellent research • Diversity of assessment criteria across portfolio: “not one size for all” • We will continue to support excellent research without obvious and immediate impact, within a balanced portfolio • No dramatic shift in the balance of y/our research portfolio • Better application of research, not more applied research • Impact will be part of the currency and language of research • Greater visibility of impacts and greater pride in achievement • Key purpose of impact plans is to help with peer review assessment but also offers opportunities to help us support and evaluate key investments.

11. Recent Developments • RCUK Expectations for Societal and Economic Impact • KT Portal • www.rcuk.ac.uk/innovation/ktportal • Impact summaries within peer review • Clarity about our expectations • Stronger obligation to consider beneficiaries - and how benefits could become manifest • No compromise on excellence • Accept need for diversity between Councils, disciplines, activities • Not economic valuation of potential impact

12. RCUK Statement of Expectations Research Councils give researchers considerable flexibility and autonomy, but in return expect: • awareness of the environment and context in which their research takes place • awareness of social/ethical implications and public attitudes • engagement with the public about research and its broader implications • identify potential benefits and beneficiaries through the full project life cycle • maintain professional networks that extend beyond their own discipline • publish results widely: both academic, user and public audiences • exploit results to secure social and economic return to the UK • manage collaboration professionally • staff and students develop skills matched to the demands of their future career paths • curation, management and exploitation of data for future use • work in partnership with RCUK

13. Fundamental Messages • No compromise on quality • A partnership with researchers and HEIs • Recognition of Non-academic Impact (including public engagement) in career structures • Delivering the dual hurdle of excellence with impact