Dr Heiden introduces key definitions from the OECD and NSF, outlining “impact” as both academic (influencing other research) and societal (benefiting communities). She describes impact creation as a pathway connecting knowledge generation to real-world applications. Effective pathways, she notes, require vision, specificity, and early stakeholder involvement, such as collaborating with policymakers or local organizations.

Dr Gladden discusses the importance of third-party evaluations in maintaining objectivity, suggesting that independent evaluators allow for a more rigorous assessment of research impact. He emphasizes the value of academic leadership in fostering a supportive impact culture, where promotion policies recognize contributions beyond traditional metrics.

Watch the full webinar to hear the discussion, followed by a lively question & answer session with the audience.

For those looking to explore Research Impact further, Sage offers valuable resources:

Epigeum’s online course Research Impact: Meaning and Value teaches researchers how to embed research impact at every stage of their journey on their website: https://learningresources.sagepub.com/epigeum/research/research-impact-creating-meaning-and-value

Denicolo, P. (Ed.). (2013). Achieving impact in research. Sage Publications.

Bastow, S., Dunleavy, P., & Tinkler, J. (2014). The impact of the social sciences: How academics and their research make a difference. Sage Publications.

Fox, C., Grimm, R., & Caldeira, R. (Eds.). (2016). An introduction to evaluation (1st ed.). Sage Publications.

Originally posted on the Research Methods Community blog here