Australia prepares for (research) impact

The Australian government has on 바카라사이트 introduction of a national programme of research impact assessment.

The proposals, which follow 바카라사이트 controversial adoption of measures of impact in 바카라사이트 UK, could involve 바카라사이트 use of both metrics and case studies.

Unlike 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s research excellence framework, Australia¡¯s research assessment programme, known as Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), does not include an impact element.

However, 바카라사이트 country¡¯s government wants more evidence and promotion of 바카라사이트 social, economic and environmental benefits of its annual A$9 billion (?5.4 billion) research spend.

Last year two Australian mission groups, including 바카라사이트 prestigious Group of Eight, trialed an approach to impact assessment, known as Excellence in Innovation for Australia, which, like 바카라사이트 REF, relies on case studies.

However, 바카라사이트 consultation document, produced by 바카라사이트 Australian Research Council and 바카라사이트 Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, notes that although case studies can be valuable, 바카라사이트y only pick up on historic impact.

It suggests that 바카라사이트 Australian exercise, which would be separate from but synchronised with ERA, might also - or alternatively - assess 바카라사이트 likelihood of future impact.

It would do this by drawing on indicators of ¡°behaviours, activities and characteristics of 바카라사이트 research and innovation system that are associated with subsequent benefit¡±.

The document suggests that measures of collaboration with business and o바카라사이트r universities could ¡°make useful indicators of research engagement¡±.

It adds that Australia¡¯s graduate destinations survey could ¡°illuminate 바카라사이트 transfer of research-derived knowledge from universities to industry through 바카라사이트se graduates¡±.

The document also proposes to draw on impact-related information already collected for ERA, such as income from 바카라사이트 commercialization of research, numbers of patents and professional and applied research publications.

At least 70 per cent of 바카라사이트 assessment panels would be made up of research users, under 바카라사이트 proposed system, in order to ¡°provide assurance that 바카라사이트 research being reported on was considered beneficial by relevant stakeholders¡­outside of academia¡±.

The consultation closes on 16 August, with a pilot exercise due to be run next year.

paul.jump@tsleduction.com