Exploring the emerging role of the University impact professional

27 Jun 2019

The University hosts the annual N8 Impact Network meeting with over 35 delegates from the eight most research activities universities in the north

This week (Tuesday 25 June) the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) welcomed delegates from across our Faculties and the eight universities which make up the N8 Research Partnership to share best practice and discuss the emerging role of the university impact professional.

Natalie Theodoulou, FSE Impact Officer and chair of the event, said: “Impact is how our research has an effect on, benefits or changes the world beyond academia. This could be economic, social and cultural including influencing public policy or service, health, the environment or quality of life.

“The need to generate and demonstrate our impact is ever increasing with REF 2021 on the horizon, its increasing priority in research funding and our role as a civic University.

“The role of the Impact Officer is still relatively new and by bringing this network of professional services staff together from across the N8 partnership we will be able to learn from each other and ultimately increase the support we can offer in helping cultivate and demonstrate the impact of research.” 

The day stared with Craig Whittall introducing Policy@Manchester and how it aims to impact lives globally, nationally and locally through influencing and challenging policymakers with robust research-informed evidence and ideas from the University. 

This was followed by a presentation from Darren Clement, FSE Impact Officer, about the University’s approach to the challenge of developing a multi-disciplinary impact case study with significant public interest.

And finally, the whole group was involved in a discussion regarding the challenges, professional practice, training and development of impact colleagues, led by Chris Roberts, FSE Impact Officer.