FIVE STEPS TO CREATING IMPACT
Research impact goes far beyond simply disseminating findings to users. It involves sustained, meaningful engagement with stakeholders through a continuous cycle of planning, review, and evaluation to achieve real-world change. The following principles, adopted from The Research Impact Handbook [1,2], provide a practical framework for integrating, measuring, and reporting research impact effectively.
Design
Set goals and devise strategies
Design
Plan the impact you want to achieve and integrate impact into your research from the outset
REPRESENT
Embed key stakeholders
REPRESENT
Represent the needs and priorities of those who might be interested in or use your research
ENGAGE
Build long-term relationships
ENGAGE
Build long-term, two-way, and trusting relationships with those who will use your research, and co-generate new knowledge
ACCELERATE
Identify quick wins
ACCELERATE
Deliver tangible results to reward and keep people engaged with your work
REFLECT
Keep track of what works
REFLECT
Monitor and reflect on your work to learn and refine your practice, and continue nurturing relationships in the long term
Reference:
[1] Reed, M. S., Stringer, L. C., Fazey, I., Evely, A. C., & Kruijsen, J. H. (2014). Five principles for the practice of knowledge exchange in environmental management. Journal of Environmental Management, 146, 337-345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.07.021
[2] Reed, M. S. (2025). The Research Impact Handbook (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003615019
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