Kristian Berg Harpviken The Impact of Impact Assessments Experience from the self-evaluation of the Social Science Institutes Kristian Berg Harpviken Workshop on the societal impact of the humanities (for the upcoming HUMEVAL) Research Council of Norway, 12 January 2016

Societal Impact The impacts of the research may include, but are not limited to, changes in activity, attitude, economy, capacity, attention, competence, policy, practice, or understanding. The changes may occur among individuals, groups, organisations, in public opinion, or in society at large. The changes may be local, national or international. Effects on other research, or effects within the submitting institution (for instance the effects on teaching within the institution) are not to be reported as impact cases.

Knowledge for a more Peaceful World Why do we do what we do? Knowledge for a more Peaceful World

Research Communication Maximize synergies across communication channels and audiences Pursue the highest standards in academic publishing Inspire public discourse, inform debate, and challenge established truths Engage in informed exchange with policy-makers, practitioners and conflict actors

What counts? What do we register? What do we celebrate? What do we reward? What do we boast about? What is critical to career-building

Challenges Impact instincts ingrained in organizational culture Predictability: not all outputs can be planned; need for adaptation and improvisation Reportability: some impact may be sensitive (taking credit may be detrimental to impact) Detectability: some impacts remain forever unknown to us Attribution: who can justly claim what impact often not clear Ambition: The least daring propositions may be the ones most likely to be adapted, and vice versa Time lag: Some impacts take a very long time to materialize Reporting straitjacket: While reporting is needed, there is always a risk that ticking off outputs on a to-do list comes in the way of sensitivity to opportunities Impact instincts ingrained in organizational culture

PRIO cases Conflict is Development in Reverse Debunking Myths about Peace and Conflict Defining Global Policy on Climate and Conflict Placing Gender on the Peace and Security Agenda Promoting Migrants’ Transnational Engagements Setting the Agenda for Societal Security in Europe

Carriers of Impact Facts Perspectives Tools Agendas Relations Competence

Lessons Need to change perspective Start early Think big Research excellence Research communication at the core

Assessing the Impact Assessment Leaving out organizational structures (systems & culture) Disconnecting societal from academic impact A great learning experience!

3 July 2018 www.prio.no