Free webinar: Research Impact
by Kasia Figiel, Sage Research Methods Community Manager
In this recent webinar we hear from Dr Tamika Heiden and Dr Josh Gladden as they discuss research impact and how they have encountered and promoted it within their fields, focusing on strategies for bridging academic and societal impact.
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.