Sussex Impact Day: Celebrating and developing the impact of our research
I am very proud that the research undertaken across our Sussex community brings innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Michael Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
As many colleagues will already be aware, national government and other research funders increasingly require universities to demonstrate the impact of their research beyond the academic world – on society, technology, the economy, policy, culture, health, and beyond.
It is therefore vital that we are well placed both to create impact from our research, and to communicate our achievements, in the context of a very competitive funding environment.
Colleagues will have noted areas in which we did this with particular success in REF2014, and may have also observed that we have some way to go to demonstrate our true impact from across the University as a whole.
However, it is equally important that we do not see impact as being a purely REF-related, or funding-driven, issue. It is, rather, about the fundamental value of creating positive change for specific beneficiaries and for the common good – as we put it at Sussex, of ‘making the future’: of creating new products, services and technical advances; and ensuring that policymakers, organisations and the public have access to rigorous evidence to inform their decisions.
Some inspiring case studies of our achieving exactly this are published online, in a series that will be regularly updated.
At Sussex, a key part of our approach to generating and demonstrating our research impact is to recognise, celebrate and invest in outstanding impact where it occurs; and to develop our staff so that we are all able to increase our impact.
We are therefore holding the first of what I hope will be an annual event, the Sussex Impact Day on Tuesday 16 June 2015.
The day is open to all Sussex faculty, research staff, research students and Professional Services colleagues in research-related roles. It will provide training and guidance about, and exemplars of, research impact; and will showcase existing activities and their outcomes – through panel discussions, training sessions and practical workshops. There will be an emphasis on celebration of achievements and on learning from those colleagues who have led the way on impact. I warmly invite you to join us.
I have also initiated an inaugural set of University awards for outstanding impact (both achieved and emerging), which not only recognise our researchers’ achievements but also include a modest financial investment in their research activities, alongside a further award for outstanding early-career research. These awards will be made during a celebratory reception at the conclusion of the Impact Day. I urge you to review the award criteria to see whether you, or one of your colleagues, might be suitable for nomination for an award.
I would be extremely appreciative if you are able to join us to develop and celebrate our research impact.
Sussex Impact Day: 16 June 2015 – book now.
Sussex Impact and Research Awards – apply now.