This event, “REF: routes to impact”, aimed to raise awareness among academic members of the multiple routes to impact their research can have. The aim of the evening was to let researchers consider the numerous ways that research can have an impact within an international development context.
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Patricia Latter REF "Routes to Impact" presentation 26/05/2016
1. Different routes to Impact:
the journey & the destinations
Patricia Latter
Head of Knowledge Transfer & Impact
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2. Background – why am I here?
Preparation of RVC REF 2014
impact case studies
5 of 11 rated 4* including 2 VEEPH:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
African Swine Fever
Impact template score 100% (estimated)
3. What is Research Impact?
“ ...the demonstrable contribution that
excellent research makes to society and
the economy.”
Research Councils definition:
Impact embraces all the extremely diverse ways in which research-related
knowledge and skills benefit individuals, organisations and nations by:
* fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic
competitiveness of the United Kingdom,
* increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy, and
* enhancing quality of life, health and creative output.
4. Outputs, Outcomes, Dissemination,
Influence, Uptake, Impact… More Impact?
At what stage does impact happen?
Not a single ‘crunch moment’
Stages in the impact journey
A narrative case study helps encompass all
5. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza case study
Introduce rest days for live bird markets for effective control
Working with policy professionals
Upskilling / capacity-building for local expertise
Law / regulation changes
Economic effects at government level (direction of limited resources)
Changes in understanding and behaviour
Economic value to affected communities
– minimise bird culling & cost of vaccination
Absence of epidemics
Animal and human health and welfare
Impact in International Development sector:
Interwoven Economic, Social & Policy-Related Impacts
6. Case Study Preparation
What is evidence of impact?
How do you provide it?
Impact ‘evidence’ isn’t (necessarily) scientific
Reasonable assumption rather than proof
Getting your evidence
Presenting your evidence
7. Now… if you want to take some pictures
of the fascinating witches
who put the scintillating stiches
in the britches
of the boys
who put the powder
on the noses
of the faces
of the ladies
of the harem
of the court of
King Caractacus...
i.e. The evidence you want to capture may be a long way from the research
Why the research is King Caractacus and the impact case
study writer is the photographer:
8. Metrics are great, but often impossible
(Good to indicate ££ and population-numbers
for scale of problem)
Some quantification possible by comparison
– metrics from comparable situations
Demonstrating value of a negative:
search literature for ‘previous epidemic
cost £X, killed Y’
If evidence is qualitative, demonstrate quality
– quotes from opinion leaders
Evidence
– Quantitative & Qualitative
9. “The RVC’s research […] demonstrated how a number of
characteristics […] contribute to disease risk in poultry
systems. [It] also contributed to the understanding of the
social and economic context within which poultry producers
operate. The RVC’s risk assessments were therefore
critical in informing the Programme’s ten key messages”
Senior Animal Production and Health Office
for Asia and the Pacific, UNFAO
Quoted in text of case study, from full FAO
statement ‘impact reference’
11. HPAI Case study Evidence References
FAO Report
DFID website – research meeting proceedings
Animal Production & Health Commission for Asia & the Pacific
– 10 key messages
Statement from FAO
DFID website - FAO/CIRAD Workshop abstracts
BMJ – feature on One Health & relevance of AI to medical practitioners
OFFLU (OIE & FAO AI surveillance organisation) publication
Statement from OFFLU Chairman
EFSA website – guidance from Animal Health & Welfare panel
FAO website – risk management guidelines
News report identifying RVC as FAO Centre of Excellence
Invitation to present to Labour Party Health Group
FAO website – news report on experts meeting
Webcasts of FAO meeting
13. REF 2014 Collection of evidence
retrospectively
REF 2020
Expectation of commitment to driving impact alongside research
Engage with stakeholders at all stages
Cultivate contacts with opinion leaders for statements
Consider breadth of potential impact generation
Collect evidence and indicators now,
so they don’t get forgotten
‘Impact collection box’
Research Fish returns
Preparing for REF 2020
