IMPACT SKILLS TRAINING FOR RESEARCHERS
At WCL, we believe that developing researchers' impact knowledge and confidence is at the heart of a successful institutional research culture and key to accelerating research impact.
Our expert-led research impact skills training courses and workshops teach researchers how to plan, measure, evidence, and communicate the societal, economic, and cultural impact of their work. They are designed to bridge the gap between principles and theories of research impact to the application and implementation of impact tools and strategies.
RESEARCH IMPACT TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
Whether you prefer self-paced online courses that can fit around a busy academic diary, in-person workshops or bespoke training and one-to-one mentoring, our research impact training can help research colleagues articulate, plan, and evidence engagement and impact activity. All our research impact training workshops can be be delivered face-to-face or online and are designed to optimise learning outcomes, provide focused support and the opportunity to ask questions and engage in valuable discussion with fellow researchers.
We understand that research impact training needs may be targeted to a specific topic, discipline or researcher group and are always happy to discuss customised training tailored to your institution's specific research impact goals.
Use the Contact Us form to ask us about our bespoke in-person or online workshops.
WRITING A REF IMPACT CASE STUDY DAY RETREAT
This is a full day facilitated writing retreat delivered at your institution or an off-site location. Designed to provide focused guidance and personalised support for high-potential impact case studies, authors will immerse themselves in case study drafting with opportunities for peer review and expert feedback. The format of the day is flexible and can be adapted to ICS author needs and where they are in their case study development.
Ideal for: REF impact case study authors
Full day
In person
This interactive workshop is designed to support impact case study authors in developing their understanding of what is needed for REF impact evidence. Participants learn about the types of evidence frequently used to demonstrate reach and significance in their UoA and how that evidence is used for best effect in the narrative. The workshop includes time to create an evidence plan or refine an existing one.
Ideal for: REF impact case study authors
IMPACT EVIDENCE FOR REF CASE STUDIES
3 hours
In person or online
USING STORYTELLING TO CREATE A COMPELLING IMPACT NARRATIVE
This workshop focuses on using storytelling to help you identify, build or enhance impact narratives in funding proposals, REF impact case studies and career progression. Drawing on inspiring examples, you will learn how to use and present impact stories in formats such as university websites, policy briefs and narrative CVs.
Ideal for: Researchers at all career stages
3 hours
In person or online
EVIDENCING ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT
This workshop explores what impact evidence is and how it differs from evidence of activity. Providing examples of evidence collection methods (tried and tested and the more creative), we look at the benefits of collecting evidence during a project and beyond to help you consider when to start collecting data, how to store it and how to tackle common challenges. We can also tailor this workshop specifically for arts and humanities disciplines.
Ideal for: Researchers at all career stages
3 hours
In person or online
Using logic models and backward mapping, this workshop helps researchers to identify the people and organisations needed to progress their research towards impact and to determine the role those individuals will play. Exploring the methods and tools of engagement available before, during and after the research, it enables researchers to categorise people and organisations by how they contribute to different stages of the impact journey
Ideal for: Researchers at all career stages
PEOPLE MAPPING AND IMPACT PLANNING
3 hours
In person or online
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IMPACT
This workshop offers a grounding in the basic concepts of research impact for those new to it. Beginning with your 'why', it provides tips on easy ways to build your impact knowledge and methods to incorporate impact thinking into research planning and projects from the start. We can also tailor this workshop specifically to arts and humanities disciplines.
Ideal for: Early career researchers/ PhD and those new to impact
3 hours
In person or online
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR RESEARCH IMPACT TRAINING COURSES & WORKSHOPS
IMPACT INTEGRATORS™ ONLINE RESEARCH IMPACT TRAINING COURSES
Impact Integrators™ online research impact skills training courses help researchers define the impact they want their research to have, understand the potential impact of their past, current and future research and build the skills and confidence to deliver it. Developed for early to mid-career researchers, researchers new to the UK and experienced researchers who want to refresh their skills and knowledge, the practical, self-paced courses bridge the gap between the principles of impact and the 'how do I actually do this?' question.
Essential steps for developing research with impact at its heart from the outset
Strategies for researchers that wish to expand their networks for impact
Practical considerations and useful tips for researchers planning a new grant application
Tools and techniques to help researchers build impact evidence collection into their work
REF IMPACT CASE STUDY-FOCUSED WORKSHOPS
HOW TO WRITE AN IMPACT
CASE STUDY
If you’re looking for practical guidance on how to develop your REF impact case studies in a welcoming and supportive environment from a team with deep experience in REF impact, we can help.
This online session has been specifically designed to support individual researchers and REF impact case study authors at institutions with a small number of planned submissions in as cost-effective and accessible way as possible.
Duration: 2.5 hours (online)
Price: From £349 inc VAT (per person)
Places are limited to facilitate a fully interactive session. To find out more or to discuss a bespoke session for your research team at your institution, please contact us.
HOW TO REVIEW AND CLASSIFY AN IMPACT
CASE STUDY
This popular online workshop is ideal for anyone involved in internal reviewing of REF submissions.
We cover REF case study template requirements, how to assess the reach and significance of draft impact case studies, different types of evidence available, how they might be used to support impact, and how to give feedback fairly and offer a sensible potential ranking.
Ideal for: UoA or department impact leads, directors of impact or those providing REF support for the first time
Duration: 3 hours (online)
Price: From £395 inc. VAT (per person)
Places are limited to facilitate a fully interactive session.
Contact us to book or to discuss a bespoke session for your institution.
