Reminder: Research Impact Workshops and Retreats – spaces available
Dear colleagues,
Please see below for a summary of research impact workshops and research impact retreats that are available to book for 2025-26; this summary is also available on SharePoint. For full details and to book, please click on the relevant link below. Please note that these sessions will be delivered in person.
Research Impact Retreats: Quiet, dedicated time for colleagues to focus on impact-related activities. The half-day Research Impact Retreats are not just for writing, and colleagues can focus on a range of impact-related activities, including but not limited to:
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Research impact plans, e.g. developing a new, or reviewing an existing plan.
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Internal impact funding applications, e.g. drafting, reviewing, giving feedback.
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Impact-generating activities, e.g. planning, follow-up and evaluation.
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Impact element of external funding bids, e.g. planning, writing, reviewing.
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Potential REF 2029 Impact Case Studies, i.e. planning, writing up notes, drafting a narrative, evidence gathering, reviewing.
The retreats are suitable for colleagues who are aiming to maximise the impact of their research, but also for colleagues whose role involves coordinating or supporting impact (e.g. PS colleagues working in research, Directors of Impact, and Impact Coordinators). Dates/times: 10 February 2026, 09.00-12.00 and/or 13.00-16.00; 17 April 2026, 09.00-12.00 and/or 13.00-16.00.
Research Impact in HaSS – an Introduction: Aimed at academic and Professional Services staff (of all career stages) in HaSS who would like to improve their understanding of research impact, and/or would like to think about developing impact from their own research (where appropriate) or HaSS research more generally. No prior knowledge is required. Please note that the final hour of the workshop is optional. A shorter session, focusing on developing a research impact plan, is also available below, though some pre-work may be required prior to attending. Date/times: 2 March 2026, 13.00-16.30.
Developing a Research Impact Plan: **new workshop** Aimed at academic colleagues of all career stages in HaSS who would like to develop a plan to maximise the non-academic impacts of their research. A basic understanding of research impact is required to attend this workshop. For colleagues who require a general introduction to impact, you can either sign up for above workshop instead (which provides a more in-depth introduction to impact, including how to begin developing a research impact plan), or alternatively, you can do some pre-work for this workshop, which involves watching a short pre-prepared presentation entitled ‘An Introduction to Research Impact’. Dates/times: 17 March 2026, 09.30-11.30; 21 May 2026, 09.30-11.30.
Planning a Potential REF Impact Case Study: Provides a general overview of what’s involved in planning an impact case study (ICS) for the Research Excellence Framework (REF). It’s aimed at academic colleagues in HaSS (of all career stages) who would be interested in submitting an impact case study to a future REF exercise. PS colleagues whose role involves supporting the development of potential REF ICSs are also welcome to attend. A basic understanding of research impact is required to attend this workshop. For colleagues who require a general introduction to impact, please first sign up for one of the workshops above. Dates/times: 10 March 2026, 10.00-12.30.
In addition to the above sessions, now that we have REF 2029 Engagement and Impact guidance, further bespoke REF Engagement and Impact sessions will soon be on offer to colleagues: (i) who are a member of their UoA’s REF Preparation Group; and/or (ii) whose work features in their UoA’s List of Potential REF 2029 Impact Case Studies – more details to follow in due course, which will be shared via Impact Directors and Coordinators in your Schools.
If you have any questions, please contact angie.scott@ncl.ac.uk