1. Developing a Research Impact Capture System
Julie Bayley
Coventry University Impact Officer
Senior Researcher in Health Psychology
Twitter: @Julie_covuni

2. Overview Context and Coventry University approach
Impact Capture System (‘ERIC’)
Experience and learning
Overview of ERIC and BIDS impact module
Key timeline of events from realising needed an impact capture system to having one ready for roll out
What you have done  in terms of consultation and building the module (if you can provide a demo video of BIDS/screen shots etc may be useful as appropriate)
Key barriers, challenges, opportunities that others may be able to take away e.g. tying in with HR etc
Three key actions that people can take away with them

3. Context Increased impact weighting (REF 2020) and funder requirements
Ongoing discussions on measurement, assessment and definitions
Related drives eg. Open Access
Increasing focus on how to embed change institutionally
How do we develop a systematised approach?
FIND REF DEFINITION AND QUOTE PAGE ETC
FIND RESEARCH COUNCIL DEFINITION AND QUOTE PAGE ETC

4. Coventry University approach
“Embedding Research Impact at Coventry” (ERIC)
JISC funded project, May-Nov 2012*
Develop and test a prototype Impact Capture System
Commissioned by the VC to rollout across CU
Programme of work to develop system and engage academic staff
Revise / extend content and structure
Academic, business and strategic consultation
Strategic commitment and sustainability planning
Aim: “Embed good practice in impact analysis in research departments utilising the combined expertise of Business and Community Engagement practitioners, information management specialists and academics”
Develop and test prototype Impact Capture System (ICS) to plan and capture impact of research projects
CU one of 9 funded projects in UK*
Completed November 2012
Strategic commitment – strategy and posts
JISC funded pilot, rolled out across university
Innovated existing research management system to plan and capture impact
Currently running consultation to address adoption:
Content, functionality and acceptability
Academics (n=28) and business support / strategic leads (~15):
Feedback is positive with suggestions for improving system *

5. Prototype development process
1. Impact needs analysis
Business and Community Engagement
2. Create content
Research
3. Technical process review / system adaptation
Information Management
4. Pilot test system
Talk through process of 1-3, then show system and show feedback from 4
WP1 Impact Needs Analysis led by BCE team
WP2 Applied Research Impact Assessment led by Research team
WP3 Technical Process Review and System Adaptation led by IM team
WP4 Pilot Research Impact Assessment and Data Capture led by Research team
WP5: Engagement and Dissemination lead by BCE team
WP6 Project Management lead by the BCE team

6. Full rollout Embedding Pilot
Consultation and engagement across faculties
Purchase database
Full launch
Modify/ extend database
External literature / guidance
Embedding

7. ‘ERIC’ system
Built within existing CU Research Information Management system
Add details of (multiple) planned impacts, those which occur unexpectedly or remove those which do not transpire.
4 steps to add an impact…..
Plan impact (4 drop down boxes)
Plan evidence
Set/ receive reminders
Add/ update evidence

8. Learning and experience
Benefits of ERIC
‘Institutional memory’
Flexible system supports impact planning from project inception
Build and monitor ongoing impact portfolios
Reduced reporting burden for REF 2020
Support funding bids / reports to funders
CU marketing, case studies and reputation building

9. Challenges Experience of REF 2014 Impact not well understood
Impact is not static or universally accepted
Very difficult to standardise across disciplines
Scepticism and suspicion
Control of information
Ownership and attribution of impact
Bridging academic / business divide
Combining narrative with metrics

10. Consultation summary (Barriers)
Frequency
Time constraints and workload 18
Issues with research management system (access, familiarity) 12
Limited awareness and understanding of impact / benefits of system 9
System difficulties 6
Attribution and tracking of impact 5

11. Opportunities Accommodate non-funded projects
Build academic awareness of system and impact
Develop tools for enhancing impact planning / measurement
Change of research management system
Growth of impact culture

12. Consultation summary (Facilitators)
Frequency
Training and support 20
Raise awareness of impact and system 18
System edits 16
Link and embed across university practices 10
Utilise / report data (inc. REF 2020) 6
Improve ease of access 4
Increase relevance to academics / academic practice 3

13. Making it work…. Partnership is key ‘Engage not enrage’ academics
Top-down support for bottom-up development
Across-university system interaction
Continued dialogue and revision
Centralised and committed approach, locally translated

14. Next steps Continue building and rolling out system
Embedding impact and behaviour change
Build impact infrastructure
Training
System changes
Dissemination (papers, reports, blogs)

15. Thank you and questions
Julie Bayley