Engaging with End–Users of Research OCTOBER 2015 Cathy Harris MBA, MInstKT Research Engagement Manager Research & Enterprise Extn 6755,

Why engaging with potential end users is important Stakeholders as users of your research; who are they, understanding their needs and why they would want to work with you How do you identify and contact the right people Developing and maintaining relationships Raising your profile and attending events Mechanisms for engagement Content

Reflection How does your research have wider application outside of academy?

Who are potential end users of research?

Benefits of engagement Can lead to economic and or societal impact Can increases the success rate of your RC funding Generates income for the School and yourself Gain access to external expertise and facilities Satisfaction of working on real world projects Increase your profile with high level decision makers Benefits your students through projects, placements and recruitment. 5

Engagement leading to Impact Need ResearchShare Adoption by Stakeholders Impact demonstrable effect that excellent research has made to society or economy Co design research a. Early engagement with non- academic audience b. Later Engagement with non- academic audience Build relationships through other non- research related activities: can lead to opportunities for future research

Understand their needs Depicting your capability in terms of their needs Use vocabulary they understand Not dumbing down Depict your excellent research and expertise and its relevance to them

ConsultancyTechnical Services Commissioned Research Collaborative Research Studentships KTP Training & CPDLicensing IPStudent placement & recruitment Advisory Board/Challenge Committees Formal mechanisms for engagement MSc Projects

The right message Elevator Pitch 2 mins Be relevant Succinct

Who are potential end users of research?

Policy makers WHAT is your key message with relevance for policy? WHY is this important for policy? Who are policymakers? Be aware of how your research has context in local, regional & national policy How to reach them and influence decisions Need an active presence to communicate the quality of policy research

Channels to Policy makers All–party groups Think tanks Commons/Lords/Joint Select Committees Respond to consultations Work with your MP Work through your learned societies

Advice and useful information impact/Inform-public-policy/Pages/Inform-public-policy.aspx with/policymakers m

Companies: why work with us? Step change innovation - finding new approaches to commercial or societal needs Transfer of new ideas and technologies Increase credibility of industry research Access to specialist expertise and facilities Access to highly skilled people ‘Although Dalton Maag has the skills and expertise to confidently design and engineer fonts, it is invaluable to have such a resource available. It is important for us, where appropriate, to confirm our more complex work with a second opinion that is independent and internationally recognised.’ Bruno Maag Managing Director Dalton Maag Ltd 14

Companies - making contact Ask colleagues Desk research – Desk research: business databases, sector journals, Trade Associations - Onesource, Mintel etc Business Source Complete LinkedIn Conference, Networking events, Knowledge Transfer Networks, Funder events e.g. RC Showcases, Industry Clubs, The right individual

Understand their needs Depicting your capability in terms of their needs Use vocabulary they understand Not dumbing down Depict your excellent research and expertise and its relevance to them

Charities and Collections Research Funding: AMRC supporting medical and health research in universities Volunteering, mentoring, knowledge transfer, and outreach activities Tackle social problems, and improve communities, the environment, and people’s life chances. Visitor experience : Customer perceptions and interpretation

Your profile Research Profile and credibility Establishing networks and relationships Plan your public engagement Media profile Social media 02/22/social-media-and-science-using-online-media- tools-to-enhance-research-impact/ 02/22/social-media-and-science-using-online-media- tools-to-enhance-research-impact/ Good understanding of the challenges facing your audience Timing

Associations and Learned Societies Sector relevant news Speakers/Sponsors at Conferences LinkedIn Twitter How to find them Speak with Colleagues Conferences Share your plans with Line Manager Use your networks – internal and external Use everyone else’s networks

Non Academic Event Develop a clear idea or set of objectives, keep focus Research the attendees and sponsors before you go Who do you want to listen to/speak with? So what? What information/contact did you come away with and what is your plan to follow that up?

Passive contact – they approach you Your academic profile is important: Publications, Conference papers, press coverage, twitter, media profile etc Serendipity – on the train, on the golf course, The right individual

Follow up your contact Keep in touch with the ‘right’ organisation, even if nothing comes of your first discussions. Timing/funding may not have been right Face to face meetings Understand mutual interests, tangible needs and identify projects Communications routine, personnel exchange

Key issues Be clear what you want to achieve and what benefits your research bring to others Engage with stakeholders at an early stage and involve them in all stages of research Create relationships takes time & effort – be proactive Scan for opportunities to work together Keep in touch Get support and advice from colleagues and Research & Enterprise

Research & Enterprise Professional services support : Funding Impact & Engagement R & E Contracts; negotiations and advise Intellectual property management

Questions Cathy Harris Research Engagement Manager Research & Enterprise Development