Our Research Impact School will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand and assess the impact of your work, so that you can tell a robust story about the difference your research or evidence to action strategy makes.
The School is split into two modules. Booking is now open for Module 1.
About Module 1
Next start date: 19th October 2020
Duration: Four weeks (plus orientation session)
Weekly time commitment: Two one-hour sessions, with up to one hour homework each week.
When: Sessions run on Mondays and Thursdays each week (see below for times)
Where: Online
For: People who need to understand and improve how research and evidence influence people, policy, practice or communities. This includes individual researchers, research leaders, researchers in public or voluntary organisations, impact support workers and anyone interested in getting evidence into action.
Cost: £150 + VAT (for Module 1)
Over four weeks we will explore what we mean by research impact and how to ensure impact, before starting to think about ways of tracking the difference research and evidence to action strategies make.
The course is held online. Each week consists of a live presentation and discussion, a live workshop with other participants and some homework.
You will learn from a leading expert about key elements of research impact, have a chance to apply these to your work, and to discuss and share with colleagues.
Learn from an international leader in research impact
The Matter of Focus Research Impact School is led by Dr Sarah Morton (co-founding director of Matter of Focus and Honorary Fellow University of Edinburgh).
Sarah has an international reputation as a leader in the fields of knowledge exchange and Research Impact (RI), leading in-demand courses such as Making and Measuring Impact for NCRM, and has been an invited speaker on this topic in the UK, Canada and Australia. She has conducted eight independent impact studies and supported organizations and individuals to create and understand the impact of research and evidence-use strategies.
Through the weekly workshops, you will engage with your course peers, for ongoing learning and sharing.
What will I learn and gain?
By the end of the course you will:
have a better understanding of the processes of research use and research impact
be able to draw on key concepts and strategies to inform knowledge mobilisation and impact plans
understand what is more or less effective in creating research impact
feel more confident and able to engage with the impact requirements of research funders.
What difference will this make?
After attending this course, you will:
be able to plan an impact strategy that draws on best practice
have a community of peers to draw on for support and advice
be ready to enroll for Module 2 where you can build a framework for assessing your own impact.
Is the Research Impact School for me?
Our Research Impact School is here for anyone interested in improving their understanding of research impact and evidence to action strategies, and wishing to be equipped to ensure these are effective and measurable.
Researchers that want to learn more about research impact and to be able to track their impact
Research leaders that want to be able to inspire others to work in impactful ways
Leaders or administrators of research centres or evidence to action teams that want to meaningfully track their impact
Researchers or teams concerned with getting evidence into action in the public and third sectors.
What do I need to take part?
Access to the Internet for Slack, Zoom and Miro – we will send you invitations to join us on these platforms.
When are the sessions?
There will be a welcome session on 15 October (9.30 – 10.30 am BST)
Then, there are two one-hour sessions each week:
A live presentation with discussion on the Monday (a recording will be made available for catch-up). Homework will be set at this session, which you will discuss at a workshop later in the week.
A workshop on the Thursday. You will be asked to choose which time you would like to attend all your workshops at.
Week 1: 19 October (2 pm BST) & 22 October (9 am or 2 pm BST)
Week 2: 26 October (2 pm GMT) & 29 October (9 am or 2 pm GMT)
Week 3: 2 November (2 pm GMT) & 5 November (9 am or 2 pm GMT)
Week 4: 9 November (2 pm GMT) & 12 November (9 am or 2 pm GMT)
How much does it cost?
The cost per place on Module 1 is £150 + VAT (please contact us for international fees).
Payment will be by invoice, please provide an email address for your invoice in the booking form below.
How can I find out more?
We would be happy to answer any further questions you have about the Research Impact School. Please send us a message in the first instance.