Professor Mark Reed, Director of Engagement & Impact at Newcastle University, has analyzed impact case studies from around the world, and proposes ten types of research impact considering benefits and innovation in a real-world context:
- Understanding and awareness – meaning your research helped people understand an issue better than they had before
- Attitudinal – your research helped lead to a change in attitudes
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Economic – your research contributed to cost savings, or costs avoided; or increases in revenue, profits or funding
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Environmental – benefits arising from your research aid genetic diversity, habitat conservation and ecosystems
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Health and well-being – your research led to better outcomes for individuals or groups
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Policy – your research contributed to new or amended guidelines or laws
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Other forms of decision-making and behavioural impacts
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Cultural – changes in prevailing values, attitudes and beliefs
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Other social impacts –such as access to education or improvement in human rights
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Capacity or preparedness – research that helps individuals and groups better cope with changes that might otherwise have a negative impact.
Professor Reed’s book, The Research Impact Handbook, is highly recommended – even required reading – if you’d like to learn more about each of these areas, and how to understand the potential outcomes of your research in each area.