Research Impact

Professor Mark Reed, Director of Engagement & Impact at Newcastle University, has analyzed impact case studies from around the world, and proposes ten types of research impact considering benefits and innovation in a real-world context:

• Understanding and awareness – meaning your research helped people understand an issue better than they had before

• Attitudinal – your research helped lead to a change in attitudes

• Economic – your research contributed to cost savings, or costs avoided; or increases in revenue, profits or funding

• Environmental – benefits arising from your research aid genetic diversity, habitat conservation and ecosystems

• Health and well-being – your research led to better outcomes for individuals or groups

• Policy – your research contributed to new or amended guidelines or laws

• Other forms of decision-making and behavioural impacts

• Cultural – changes in prevailing values, attitudes and beliefs

• Other social impacts –such as access to education or improvement in human rights

• Capacity or preparedness – research that helps individuals and groups better cope with changes that might otherwise have a negative impact.

Professor Reed’s book, The Research Impact Handbook, is highly recommended – even required reading – if you’d like to learn more about each of these areas, and how to understand the potential outcomes of your research in each area.