This blog is being published shortly before I leave the University (July 2024), so I thought I’d use the opportunity to reflect on where we are with impact in the sector, and celebrate the work of Lincoln colleagues.
Impact is simple in its premise – the provable benefit of research in society. Not only is impact part of formal assessment processes like the Research Excellence Framework, but also part of many funders’ mandates and enshrined in our own strategic plan (2022-27 “Transforming Lives and Communities”). There’s also an extensive, global and growing impact community of practice, signalling the increasing international attention on the opportunity to drive societal change.
It has been an absolute privilege to work with Lincoln colleagues, so committed to their areas, to drive impact across and well beyond the region. Whilst impact is wider than REF, the REF2021 cycle did allow us to showcase Lincoln’s impact across so many areas of research. I won’t itemise precise case studies here, but I will take the opportunity to thank colleagues for such commitment to making a difference. Please do grab a cup of tea and check out their work on the Lincoln Impact Case Studies page and in the short Impact case study videos which accompany them. There’s also blogs on the Lincoln Impact Literacy Institute page, and various impact resources on this and the internal Research Impact Hub. Please also get involved in the ongoing university-wide work to support delivery of Sustainable Development Goals, and take a moment to say hello to the wonderful impact team in Research and Enterprise.
Whilst this is a blog to recognise achievements, looking ahead it would be disingenuous of me not to mention the elephant in the room. The HE sector is in trouble. The widespread financial fallout from [chooses not to politicise here but feel free to fill in the blanks] has been stark: significant budget cuts to institutions, loss of staff, and restructurings have been and continue to be the order of the day for so many universities. Recent changes at the Government level perhaps offer an air of optimism about the future, but we cannot underestimate how battered the sector is, and may be for some time.
But if we also turn our attention outwards, it’s also clear that these issues parallel challenges facing society as a whole. Political divides. Cost of living crisis. Demands on public services. The list goes on. It’s therefore ironic that impact – the thing we so often end up ‘bolting on’ to our busy working lives – has perhaps never been more needed than it is now. Impact is change in the real world, and that real world needs as much support as it can get.
I believe, and always have believed, that making a difference to someone’s life or the world around us is one of the biggest privileges we can have in research. And it’s been a privilege to be part of that at Lincoln for the last few years.
As I head off, let me offer you my principles for Impact Literate practice (my book is in the library if you fancy a read). These might be not be phrased with the most academic of vocabulary, but they sit as a constant reminder for me about how to do impact in a meaningful, healthy and connected way.
- Chase meaning not unicorns: focus on what matters to society, rather than chasing fantasy and glory
- Work out what your research powers up: what does your work help someone outside of academia do?
- Think directionally not linearly, because the journey to impact may not be a straight line,
- Evidence? Think What would Jessica Fletcher do: Think like a detective to prove impact.
- Build healthy environments to support people to do impact
- Own your expertise but don’t be a jerk. You’re not an imposter, and remember everyone brings an important perspective
- Be an impact lighthouse: Shine a light on impact, be a navigator and help stop people crashing on the impact rocks.
- Be you.
I’m going to plagiarise myself for the sign off to this blog.
“Embrace the opportunity, accept the privilege and enjoy the journey. Be excited, be committed, be passionate, be annoyed, be productive, be unproductive, be an advocate, get chips, watch a play, get distracted by adverts about kitchen storage ideas (just me?), dance into the night and shout at the TV. Just don’t get bogged down. Buoy yourself up and know you can make a difference. Find the need. Look for solutions. Bring your vibe. Be a lighthouse. Impact matters because the world matters. And that’ll do me”.
Thanks for everything Lincoln,
Go be amazing.
Julie
Dr Julie Bayley is the Director of Research Impact Development at the University of Lincoln, with a key focus on strengthening research impact across the institution. This includes, but is not restricted to REF, and encompasses strategy, training and broader activities within Lincoln and across the sector. Julie’s own research focuses on impact, research implementation, health psychology and behaviour change