Developing a Research
Impact Capture
System
Julie Bayley
Coventry University Impact Officer
Senior Researcher in Health Psychology
Email:
j.bayley@coventry.ac.uk
Twitter: @Julie_covuni
Overview
1. Context and Coventry University
approach
2. Impact Capture System (‘ERIC’)
3. Experience and learning
Context
• Increased impact weighting (REF 2020) and funder
requirements
• Ongoing discussions on measurement, assessment
and definitions
• Related drives eg. Open Access
• Increasing focus on how to embed change
institutionally
• How do we develop a systematised approach?
Coventry University approach
• “Embedding Research Impact at Coventry” (ERIC)
– JISC funded project, May-Nov 2012*
– Develop and test a prototype Impact Capture System
• Commissioned by the VC to rollout across CU
• Programme of work to develop system and engage
academic staff
– Revise / extend content and structure
– Academic, business and strategic consultation
• Strategic commitment and sustainability planning
*http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/about/impact-analysis
Prototype development
process
1. Impact
needs
analysis
Business and
Community
Engagement
2. Create
content
3. Technical
process
review /
system
adaptation
4. Pilot test
system
Research
Information
Management
Research
Pilot
Purchase
database
External
literature /
guidance
Full rollout
Consultation
and
engagement
across faculties
Full launch
Modify/ extend
database
Embedding
‘ERIC’ system
• Built within existing CU Research Information
Management system
• Add details of (multiple) planned impacts, those
which occur unexpectedly or remove those which do
not transpire.
• 4 steps to add an impact…..
1.
2.
3.
4.
Plan impact (4 drop down boxes)
Plan evidence
Set/ receive email reminders
Add/ update evidence
Learning and experience
• Benefits of ERIC
– ‘Institutional memory’
– Flexible system supports impact planning from project
inception
– Build and monitor ongoing impact portfolios
– Reduced reporting burden for REF 2020
– Support funding bids / reports to funders
– CU marketing, case studies and reputation building
Challenges
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Experience of REF 2014
Impact not well understood
Impact is not static or universally accepted
Very difficult to standardise across disciplines
Scepticism and suspicion
Control of information
Ownership and attribution of impact
Bridging academic / business divide
Combining narrative with metrics
Consultation summary
(Barriers)
Barriers
Frequency
Time constraints and workload
18
Issues with research management system (access, familiarity)
12
Limited awareness and understanding of impact / benefits of
system
9
System difficulties
6
Attribution and tracking of impact
5
Opportunities
• Accommodate non-funded projects
• Build academic awareness of system and
impact
• Develop tools for enhancing impact planning /
measurement
• Change of research management system
• Growth of impact culture
Consultation summary
(Facilitators)
Facilitators
Frequency
Training and support
20
Raise awareness of impact and system
System edits
18
16
Link and embed across university practices
10
Utilise / report data (inc. REF 2020)
6
Improve ease of access
4
Increase relevance to academics / academic practice
3
Making it work….
•
•
•
•
•
•
Partnership is key
‘Engage not enrage’ academics
Top-down support for bottom-up development
Across-university system interaction
Continued dialogue and revision
Centralised and committed approach, locally
translated
Next steps
•
•
•
•
•
•
Continue building and rolling out system
Embedding impact and behaviour change
Build impact infrastructure
Training
System changes
Dissemination (papers, reports, blogs)
Thank you and questions
Julie Bayley
j.bayley@coventry.ac.uk
Twitter: @Julie_covuni