Professor Emeritus Business School and REF2014 C19 panel member Translating Excellent Research Impact in the Social Sciences into a REF 2021 Impact case Study Richard Thorpe Professor Emeritus Business School and REF2014 C19 panel member

REF2014: Results for LUBS 4* 3* 2* 1* U/C Overall GPA 38 44 16 2 Outputs 21.1 51.2 23.3 3.0 0.4 Impact 60.0 35.0 5.0 0.0 Environment 75.0 25.0

REF2014: Highlights from the LUBS submission Impact A substantial proportion was outstanding, the rest were outstanding or “very considerable” Appreciation of the variety of context in which we have achieved impact – “knowledge translation value chain” – written into EQUIS and AACSB Clear links between the research and the case studies

Knowledge Translation Value Chain Renewal and Extension of Research Agendas Theory to Practice thought experiments Practitioner –oriented research outputs Output designed to engage practitioners Theory development Reporting basic research Engagement of Users Widespread dissemination Services & Support Directly useable output Sector Reports KT0 OP1 KT1 OP2 KT2 OP3 KT3 OP4 KT4 OP5 Source: Thorpe, R, Eden, C, Bessant, J & Ellwood, P, (2011), 'Rigour, relevance and reward: introducing the knowledge translation value-chain', British Journal of Management, 22 (3) pp. 420-431 Code: KT = Knowledge Translation OP = Output

Types of Research & the Value Chain I: Basic Research undertaken with a clear view of translation to types II-IV II: Theory to Practice Focused Research III: Practitioner Located Research IV: Directly useable output ‘Academic’ knowledge: theories, propositions Knowledge influencing policy and/or practice

Significance: Who and How? Beneficiaries Users Intermediaries Knowledge producers Research Team Policymakers Practitioners Wider publics SOCIETAL ISSUES - EXTERNAL INFLUENCES INTERMEDIARIES e.g. Funders, NGOs, Professionals Adapted from Meagher, L, Lyall, C and Nutley, S, (2008), ‘Flows of knowledge, expertise and influence: a method for assessing policy and practice impacts from social science research’, Research Evaluation, 17 (3) pp 163-173

The Ladder of Research Utilisation Source: Landry, R, Armara, N, Lamari, M, (2001) ‘Climbing the Ladder of Research Utilization’, Science Communication, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp 396-422 Stage 6 Application – My research gave rise to applications and extension by the practitioners and professionals concerned Stage 5 Influence – My research results influenced the choice and decision of practitioners and professionals Stage 4 Effort – Efforts were made to adopt the results by practitioners and professionals Stage 3 Reference – My work has been cited as a reference in the report, studies and strategies of action elaborated by practitioners and professionals Stage 2 Cognition – My research reports were read and understood by the practitioners and professionals concerned Stage 1 Transmission – I transmitted my research results to the practitioners and professionals concerned

Reflections from 2014 (1) Leeds had a very thorough process and protocols that paid off - much will be the same in 2021. e.g. how section 4 might be presented We have some expertise here that will mirror that of the panel – providing we don’t go native User members of the panel were useful – and sometimes kinder than the academics Underpinning research could have an element of ‘reputation’ and past similar research in a particular field

Reflections from 2014 (2) Disappointing number of ‘firm’ level case studies submitted – everyone going for ‘reach’ People tended to see the policy level case as scoring higher but this strategy didn’t always work. Because the corroboration sometimes showed the involvement was less than claimed. Sometimes because the outcomes were difficult to determine. Post REF 2014 Action plan from Research Board