Overview

Posing fundamental questions around the worth of knowledge creation and the social value of in-depth research, this volume offers a novel approach by exploring why impact is important in academic research, rather than explaining how it should be conducted. Using qualitative data to unpack what research impact really constitutes, this book foregrounds the practicalities of achieving impactful, high-quality academic research, and argues for the importance of best practice in instilling public and reputational value of research for wider societal gain. Chapters unpack the concept of impact, and discuss how it can be made more tangible and realisable, particularly in the context of theoretical or pure research where research outcomes are often obscure. Calling for greater clarity in how to articulate the value of impact within research strategies, the book will ultimately argue for the central role of impact in core research processes and support the development of career researchers in their practical roles and identity formation. The book will be of interest to academics and postgraduate students involved with research methods, research policy, and higher education more broadly. Despite the predominantly UK-based context of the research, the volume will have resonance in countries where knowledge economy concepts have impacted on higher education policy and practice, and so research managers and higher education policy advisors may also find the book of interest.

Full Product Details

9781032590073

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""A very timely and highly valuable book that looks at research impact from the perspective of those who do it, rather than those who tell people to do impact. A sometimes uncomfortable read, Phippen and Rutt provide a thought providing discussion, drawing heavily on their own experiences and those of their interviewees, that looks at the motivations of those who engage in research impact because they think it is it important, not because they are expected to do it. They explore why research impact is essential beyond what is required on research assessment."" - Emma Bond, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of Socio-Technical Research, University of Suffolk, UK ""A very timely and highly valuable book that looks at research impact from the perspective of those who do it, rather than those who tell people to do impact. A sometimes uncomfortable read, Phippen and Rutt provide a thought providing discussion, drawing heavily on their own experiences and those of their interviewees, that looks at the motivations of those who engage in research impact because they think it is it important, not because they are expected to do it. They explore why research impact is essential beyond what is required on research assessment."" - Emma Bond, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of Socio-Technical Research, University of Suffolk, UK"

Author Information

Andy Phippen is Professor of Digital Rights in the Department of Computing and Informatics at Bournemouth University, UK. Louise Rutt is Senior Impact and Knowledge Exchange Manager in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business at the University of Plymouth, UK.

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