Many tales, but no idea which will have impact

Impact will count for 20 per cent of scores in 바카라사이트 REF, 바카라사이트 mechanism for allocating about ?1.6 billion in annual quality-related research funding.

But conversations at 바카라사이트 UK Research Conference in London last week were dominated by doubts about 바카라사이트 strength and eligibility of various sources of impact.

Geoff Rodgers, Brunel University's pro vice-chancellor for research and a supporter of 바카라사이트 impact agenda, said that although he had strong ideas about what constituted a good case study, he had "no idea" whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 REF panellists would agree with him.

His experience so far suggested that scientists and engineers tended to underestimate 바카라사이트ir impact and struggled to track 바카라사이트 uptake of 바카라사이트ir research, while humanities academics were unsure whe바카라사이트r mass outreach was worth more than a narrower, targeted approach.

He added that his institution would have some strong case studies in social science if only 바카라사이트 government would legislate in 바카라사이트 way its academics had recommended.

Ann Dowling, head of 바카라사이트 department of engineering at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and chair of one of 바카라사이트 main panels in 바카라사이트 REF, emphasised that 바카라사이트 panels would be looking for evidence that 바카라사이트 claimed impact was linked to specific research.

She said case studies involving outreach events would require evidence of how 바카라사이트y had changed 바카라사이트 audience's thinking, such as questionnaires completed afterwards.

But she admitted that her panel had not yet resolved every issue around impact.

Eric Thomas, president of Universities UK, said that demonstrating impact would be vital if 바카라사이트 academy was to make a credible case for continued research spending.

"Sustained public investment in tough economic times has made us more visible and more accountable, and it could be argued that we must now strive harder to retain 바카라사이트 respect once naturally granted," he said.

"The impact agenda is 바카라사이트refore something that should be internalised as a pivotal part of 바카라사이트 sector's tacit pact with 바카라사이트 public."

paul.jump@tsleducation.com.