Making engaged research matter for REF (and beyond!) Dr. Gavin McNee Research Planning Officer for Engineering & Physical Sciences g.mcnee@bham.ac.uk
What is the REF? Expert review process that assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutions over a period of c. 7 years It produces quality profiles rating research and aids HEFCE’s fund allocation to the institutions they fund. Outcomes provide benchmarking information and establish reputational yardsticks.
The Assessment Framework 25% 60% 15%
The Assessment Framework 25% 60% 15% Impact of Research – Judged by the ‘reach and significance’ of impacts on the economy, society and/or culture that were underpinned by excellent research.
What impact means Multiple evolving definitions but most common: “an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia” (HEFCE - Research Excellence Framework) Impact Case Studies http://impact.ref.ac.uk/CaseStudies/search1.aspx
What impact means Multiple evolving definitions but most common: “an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia” (HEFCE - Research Excellence Framework) Provable, real-world benefit, based on research Impact is NOT : about audience figures or visitor numbers alone Impact IS: about the effect that all of this interaction and engagement actually has on society, the economy and /or public policy about evidencing change
Types of Impact A exhibition that Reduction in production Reduction in use of changes understanding costs harmful substance of the field Provision of jobs COMMERCIAL Improved outcomes Implementation / IP property gained, for patients informing of a New business has been policy created Empowering New technology Influence on professional marginalised groups developed development
Public Engagement with Research Clearly articulate who your ‘publics’ are o Thinking solely in terms of ‘general public’ is not always helpful o Meaningful engagement focuses on the specific publics relevant to your research
Public Engagement with Research o Maximum value comes from engaging audiences in dialogue, a two-way exchange about research, which affects the thinking of both parties. o A convincing account of the difference it has helped to generate, and credible claims for the contribution made by the research to that impact
Public Engagement with Research o Link it to your research! In REF 2014, PE had to be underpinned at least in part by the specifics of the research , ensuring the activity draws materially and distinctly from it. o Meaningful engagement can improve the visibility, social relevance and quality of research
Impact Case Studies Must be underpinned by 2* research published at UoB since 2000 • Source: www.ref.ac.uk
Impact Case Studies Impact must have occurred in the REF period ( Aug. 2013 –Sept. 2020) • Source: www.ref.ac.uk
More information Reviewing public engagement in REF 2014 University of Bristol report analysing REF Public engagement impact case studies. https://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/sites/default/files/publication/revi ewing_pe_in_ref_2014_final.pdf The role of public engagement in the REF NCCPE comprehensive review of how public engagement featured in REF 2014. https://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news/role-public-engagement-ref REF21 website Database of impact case studies examples www.ref.ac.uk
Impact Case Studies What kind of public engagement do you think they might be able to undertake and what sort of impact might they hope to achieve? How might they evaluate this impact? Use the table as a guide to design how you’d evaluate PE activity to measure impact
Professor Mark Reed - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtR9MK4ad1k
The Assessment Framework Medicine/ Health
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