Evidence-based research impact praxis: Integrating scholarship and practice to ensure research benefits society

Eric A Jensen; Mark Reed; Aaron M Jensen; Alexander Gerber

doi:10.12688/openreseurope.14205.2

Evidence-based research impact praxis: Integrating scholarship and practice to ensure research benefits society

Open Res Eur. 2023 Aug 4:1:137. doi: 10.12688/openreseurope.14205.2. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Eric A Jensen^{1

2}, Mark Reed¹, Aaron M Jensen², Alexander Gerber^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ SRUC Aberdeen, Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK.
² Institute for Methods Innovation, Arcata, USA.
³ Institute for Science and Innovation Communication, Briener Str 25, Kleve, 47533, Germany.
⁴ Rhine-Waal University, Marie Curie Str 1, Kleve, 47533, Germany.

Abstract

Effective research impact development is essential to address global challenges. This commentary highlights key issues facing research impact development as a nascent professional field of practice. We argue that those working on research impact should take a strategic, 'evidence-based' approach to maximize potential research benefits and minimize potential harms. We identify key features of evidence-based good practice in the context of research impact work. This includes integrating relevant research and theory into professional decision-making, drawing on a diversity of academic disciplines offering pertinent insights. Such an integration of scholarship and practice will improve the capacity of research impact work to make a positive difference for society. Moving the focus of research impact work to earlier stages in the research and innovation process through stakeholder engagement and anticipatory research can also boost its effectiveness. The research impact evidence base should be combined with the right kind of professional capacities and practical experience to enhance positive impact. Such capacities need to be developed through relevant education and training, for example, in participatory methods and social inclusion. Such training for research impact work needs to forge strong links between research impact scholarship and practice. Finally, there is a need for improvements in the evidence base for research impact to make it more practically useful.

Keywords: Research impact; evidence-based research impact; impact development.

Grants and funding

This research was financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreements No 824489 (project TeRRIFICA), No 101006436 (project GlobalSCAPE), No 665826 (project PERFORM).