1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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
Code: KT = Knowledge Translation
OP = Output

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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
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

8. Reflections from 2014 (1)
Leeds had a very thorough process and protocols that paid off - much will be the same in 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

9. 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