Research impact at the University of Manchester
What do we mean by research impact?
There are many definitions of research impact. At its simplest, impact is about making a demonstrable difference outside of academia. Research contributes to numerous types of real world impact, including improving health and wellbeing, creating economic prosperity, enhancing cultural enrichment and quality of life and improving environmental sustainability.
Some of the most widely used definitions of research impact include:
- UKRI: (UK Research and Innovation): “The demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy”
- NIHR: “The demonstrable contribution that research makes to society and the economy, of benefit to individuals, organisations and nations”
- REF2021: “An effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia”
It is important to bear in mind that impact does not have a single consistent meaning across disciplines, countries and sectors. We distinguish this type of 'real world' impact from academic impact, which is is the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to academic advances, across and within disciplines, including significant advances in understanding, method, theory and application. Our Introduction to Research Impact training delves into these distinctions and what research impact is (and isn't) in more detail.
How does the University support research impact?
Impactful research plays a critical role in helping us to achieve our core purpose ‘to advance education, knowledge and wisdom for the good of society.’ It is central to our ways of working and embedded in our ethos, strategies and support systems. 'Enabling open and impactful research' is one of the four core themes in our Research Culture and Environment framework and our interdisciplinary platforms and institutes bring our researchers together to address major societal and scientific challenges.
Knowledge exchange and impact are embedded in the university-wide Statement of research expectations and rewarded through our academic probation and promotion criteria. Researchers are expected to seek opportunities for their research to achieve impact where this is appropriate to the specific project. This might be economic, social, cultural or other impacts beyond academia, including research consultancy and commercialisation, in line with our commitments to, and strategies for, innovation, social responsibility, civic, creative and public engagement.
Plans for knowledge exchange and follow-on activities should be devised as part of research project planning and adjusted appropriately when new/unexpected opportunities arise. Our specialist Research Impact Teams provide support across the research lifecycle, from embedding impact in research design and the development of ‘pathways to impact’ to extending its reach and significance. We also collaborate across teams and disciplines to maximise the benefits of research at the University, with a host of wider teams supporting impact-related activity, ensuring impact and engagement remain on the agenda all year round. Events celebrating impact include our annual Distinguished Achievement Awards and Making a Difference Awards for social responsibility.
Our results in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise, where 96% of our research impact was assessed to be 4* or 3* (outstanding or very considerable in terms of reach and significance) and our continued success in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, are testament to the quality of our work in this area. However, these external markers of esteem are outcomes of our commitment to impactful research, rather than the driver for it. Impact isn’t ‘just for REF’ nor all about the headlines – it’s at the heart of who we are and what we do.