Whether you’ve already achieved impact or think that you might be on the right track to do so, it’s worth considering the potential of a REF case study. These are an excellent opportunity to showcase your achievements and evaluate the work that you have done to make improvements in the real world.

Are you achieving impact?

Impact is about positive changes in the real world as a result of your research. Think about what changes you might already have made, or who could potentially benefit from the outcomes of your research in the future. You can find out more about what exactly impact is in our blog post What is Impact (and why should I care)? 

But my research only involves a small group of people…

Successful Impact Case Studies don’t have to involve funding, international benefits, or millions of people. Projects taking place locally or with little or no funding can lead to exceptional impacts just as much as international projects can. If you’re making a significant improvement, even on a small scale, this is important.

In REF2021, the Zooniverse project involved 2.22 million members of the public internationally; Computer Science research improved the quality of life for over 2,000 children in the UK; and research from BAL led to over 300 RAF personnel receiving ethics training. Although the scale and subject of these projects differ greatly, all three led to successful case studies. 

Isn’t making a difference just part of the research project?

For some projects or researchers, making a difference is ingrained in the research work itself; for others, it can stand slightly more separate or involve more intentional work distinct from the research. Benefits can also begin to appear during the research phase, or may take years after the completion of research to develop. They could be a linear result of research intended to change a policy, or your research might be in performance and lead to changes in theatre practice or influence wellbeing. Regardless of how the benefits of your research come about, they could still be impact.

Okay, I think my research might generate impact. What now?

If you’ve achieved some exciting impact, or think that you’re in a position to achieve this within the next couple of years, you should speak to your Faculty Impact Lead. They’ll be able to provide advice, discuss what support is available, and may be able to put you in contact with those who could help you achieve impact, whether this is researchers working in similar areas, community groups, or connections with policy makers.

To be considered as a case study in REF2028, impact must have occurred since the last REF submission in 2021 and the underpinning research must have taken place at the University of Portsmouth.

In the meantime, make sure that you are keeping track of your activities and impacts, collecting evidence as you go, and seek out further pathways to increase or broaden your impact.