1. Ten key messages for generating a Pathways to Impact for Research Council Applications

2. Pathways to Impact In terms of economic and social impact:
What will be done to ensure that potential beneficiaries have the opportunity to engage with the research?

3. KEY MESSAGE 1: Detail is key.
How are you going to reach these non-academic users?
Detail is key. For example:
How many people are you going to invite to your workshop?
What is the proportion of academic v non-academic?
How are you going to advertise?
Will you subsidise any places?
Where will it be held?
Is it in collaboration with any organisation (e.g. third sector)
What will the format be? Speakers, breakouts?
What is the duration?
Who will be charged with organising and administering the event?
What will be the outputs? E.g. recorded talks, summary write up, presentations on the web etc.
When in the research lifecycle is this going to happen?
How much is it going to cost?

4. KEY MESSAGE 2: Recognise what can generate impact
Sections of the Public
Research Project
Researchers in Private Companies
KT fellowship to UK business
Undergraduate and postgraduate students – here and in other universities
Research Community through development of methodologies
Academic community
Developing the skills of future generation of researchers

5. Depends on what you are doing Within the life of the research project
KEY MESSAGE 3: ‘Pathways to Impact’ does not have to wait to the end of the project
Depends on what you are doing
Within the life of the research project
OR after the research is done – extend the life of the over all project
Dedicated KT and dissemination
Research and interim dissemination
Total life of Project

6. KEY MESSAGE 4: Identify when Impact might happen
0 – 5 Years
Years
Years
Years

7. KEY MESSAGE 5: It does not need to be the PI who does the work
You? Only if you want, participation can be limited to generating the knowledge.
PDRA or similar? Yes, if they have the skills or can be trained to deliver certain aspects e.g. media training.
Project staff? Yes, people can be costed in to the project just to do the impact activities – but it is still the PIs responsibility that this work is completed.
Specialist staff? Yes, can pay for specialist conference organisers, web designers, graphic designers, public engagement experts, media experts, exhibition designers etc etc.
BUT still needs to be justified and thought out, just like the rest of your research proposal.

8. KEY MESSAGE 6: Does not need to be the same old activities…
Not all groups of beneficiaries will engage with your research results in the same way – recognising different styles of learning and understanding
This work does not have to be limited to the UK, does not even need to include the UK if applicable
Opportunity to be creative and try new ways of getting your research read and talked about by people who find it useful and/or interesting

9. KEY MESSAGE 7: These activities can be costed
However much it costs to appropriately disseminate the knowledge far and wide, reaching as many beneficiaries as possible in a format that means something to them…
General guide figures different for each council
Costs should be detailed in the Pathways to Impact and JoR – project specific.
Cannot charge for patents and tech transfer.

10. KEY MESSAGE 8 – this is important
Academic Reviewers? Considering the impact sections as part of the whole application
Non-academic reviewers? Depending on who it is, this is the bit they can add most value commenting on…
Panels? If they need to decide between your excellent research proposal and another, the quality, originality and appropriateness of the pathways to impact will help them make their decision
RCUK have the right to withhold grant until they are happy that there is an appropriate pathways to impact plan. They see the Pathways to Impact as a 2 page extension to the case for support and track record…

11. KEY MESSAGE 9 – ‘Pathways to Impact’ does not mean having to change your research
Research excellence, methods, academic credentials do not need to change as a result of the Pathways to Impact

12. KEY MESSAGE 10 – There is help available.
RDSO have worked with many PIs on developing their proposals.
And there is guidance on the website: