This document summarizes a presentation about increasing emphasis on research impact outside of academia. It discusses why stakeholders are focusing more on impact, how to describe impact in funding applications, and examples of impact statements. Specifically, it notes that governments and other funders want evidence that research provides benefits beyond academic publications. Applicants should describe both realized and aspirational impacts in various sections of funding proposals. Impact statements for top publications should be 30 words and explain the significance or influence of the work.

1. Impact Narrative; Research
Librarian Support Day
February 8th 2016
Presented By: Dr Fiona Cameron, Executive Director for
Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Australian Research Council

2. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au
Outline
1. Why does it appear that there is increased
emphasis on Research Impact outside of academia?
2. -I’m not familiar with writing about my work
outside of academic outputs, what could my ROPE
descriptions include?
-Does the impact have to be realised or can it be
aspirational?
3. How could my 30-word statement for researcher’s
10 best, include impact?

3. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au
Outline
1. Why does it appear that there is increased
emphasis on Research Impact outside of academia?
• Performance Evidence wording in DP has not changed
since at least DP14.
However:
• Increased stakeholder emphasis on good investment
in research
• Introduction of an “Impact Statement” ARC schemes
• Selection criteria in some schemes mention impact.

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Commonwealth Investment in R&D 2015–16 (%)

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Researchers by sector of employment
Source: OECD, Research and Development Statistics Database, www.oecd.org,
June 2013.

8. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au
Outline
1. Why does it appear that there is increased
emphasis on Research Impact outside of academia?
2. -I’m not familiar with writing about my work
outside of academic outputs, how could my
performance evidence descriptions include impact?
-Does the impact have to be realised or can it be
aspirational?

9. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au
The Definition of Research Impact
www.arc.gov.au
• Research impact is the demonstrable contribution
that research makes to the economy, society, culture,
national security, public policy or services, health, the
environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions
to academia.

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F15. Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) -
Further evidence in relation to research impact and contributions
to the field, including those most relevant to this Proposal
In this section provide:
• Research achievements other than research outputs. Examples
may include prizes, patents, IP licences, other research support
income, honours, awards, invited keynote and speaker
addresses, and other professional activities
• Describe your Research Impact relative to opportunity and in
the context of discipline/end user benefits. Outline significant
achievements and outcomes that have contributed to a
tangible impact for end users
• Describe how your research has led to a significant change or
advance of knowledge in your field, and outline how your
achievements will contribute to this Proposal.
• DP17=DP14

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Research Impact
• The candidate has collaborated on a number of full
book length studies into the relationship between the
theory of consciousness and recent discoveries in
neuroscience and is working closely with the journal
Philosophy in developing a series specifically
dedicated to exploring this relationship. The studies
have been cited 35 times in articles in highly ranked
journals for illuminating new interdisciplinary
approaches in understanding the meaning of
consciousness.
Output
Activity
Outcome
Benefit

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Research Impact
• The candidate has undertaken a number of innovative
database projects recently for Museum Victoria. In
addition to 4 exhibitions in first tier museums, the
candidate has worked closely with peak industry
bodies. Evaluation of the work has been cited in
Leonardo as being used by museums to design audio-
visual technology to enhance visitors on-screen and
off-screen experience of their physical collections.
Museum Victoria’s Board has commissioned a review
to access the pilot implementation of the key
outcomes of the work.
Output
Activity
Outcome
Benefit

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Research Impact
• The candidate has successfully worked and collaborated on a
number of projects with the most recent ones focusing on the
palaeoenvironmental development of National Parks in
Victoria. In addition to 3 publications in high ranking journals,
which are gathering citations and generating broader
discussions in the literature, the candidate has worked closely
with local councils. The work has made a major impact in
informing the design of new parks and particularly the way
visitors can interact with the park. One new area has already
been designed to allow educational experiences without
damage to important heritage sites.
Output
Activity
Outcome
Benefit

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Impact: Realised or Aspirational?
Impact
Statement
Project
Description
ROPE Best
publications
(30-word)
Aspirational Realised and
Aspirational
Realised Both realised
and on the
pathway to
research impact

16. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au
Outline
1. Why does it appear that there is increased
emphasis on Research Impact outside of academia?
2. -I’m not familiar with writing about my work
outside of academic outputs, what should my ROPE
descriptions include?
-Does the impact have to be realised or can it be
aspirational?
3. How could my 30-word statements for researcher’s
10 best, include impact?

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(ITA)DP F14 Research Opportunity and
Performance Evidence (ROPE) - Ten career-best research
outputs
• Provide the full reference for each of your ten best
research outputs.
• Next to each, provide information on any ARC grant
scheme on which you were a CI or Fellow from
which they originated, as described in Part F12.2.
• Add a statement of a maximum of 30 words
explaining and justifying the impact or significance of
each research output.
• Mark with an asterisk the research outputs relevant to
this Proposal.

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30-word statements
• With 48 citations, including Cambridge
Companion to Australian Art, noted as “a
benchmark for the interactive exploration
of 3D multi-modal data”, uptake by
broadcasting organisation NDR, (North
German Broadcasting).
• Cited in 30 sources including The Historical
Journal, it demonstrates effective use of
social media data in exploring
contemporary refugee histories; impact
noted in EU policy debates, The Times
(03.01.15.p35).
Outcome
Outcome
Outcome
Benefit
Outcome

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Who are the statements &
Descriptions for?
• Peers (College of Experts, other academics)
• Unlikely to be your direct peers (COI)
• Broad understanding of the area
• Write to this audience

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24. Impact and Engagement Assessment
• National Innovation and Science Agenda – 7 December 2015. $1.1
billion over 4 years
• A range of new initiatives to support research, incentivise innovation
and entrepreneurship, reward risk taking, and promote science,
maths and computing in schools
• Includes $11.2 million over 5 years ($2.2 million on average) to
conduct a national assessment measuring engagement and impact
in university research
• Government invests $3.5 billion a year in university research
• ARC and Department of Education to develop methodology in 2016,
including extensive sector consultation
• ARC to conduct a pilot assessment in 2017
• ARC to conduct a full assessment in 2018 as a companion to ERA

25. Thank You