GET READY! // IMPACT Spring 2018 Senior Adviser Krister Talvinen, Research Services
1. ABOUT IMPACT 30/08/2018 2
WE ARE LIVING DIFFERENT TIMES Research funding environment becoming increasingly competitive. Funders want to see that the research they are funding has impact beyond academia. Because of dwindling budgets, funding agencies and instruments such as Horizon 2020, Tekes and Strategic Research Council give increasing weight to the societal benefits when making funding decisions European funding has engaged in & expected impact for many years, e.g. H2020 calls specify the expected impact. (NB: Different funders have different definitions and expectations.) THE SOCIETY AND THE WORLD ARE FACING MAJOR CHALLENGES THAT REQUIRE RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS 30/08/2018 3
IMPACT = MAKING A DIFFERENCE Research Councils UK definition: the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy. For example: Fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom Increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy Enhancing quality of life, health, culture and creative outputs Impact of research = effect on society, including economy, that is demonstrable and positive How does the research make the world a better place? IT S ALL ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE! http://www.sixtysymbols.com/index.html 30/08/2018 4
REALMS OF IMPACT Cultural Training Economic Technological REALMS OF IMPACT Environmental Social Health Scientific Political 30/08/2018 5
IMPACT CLASSIFICATION Cultural impact: contribution to understanding of ideas and reality, values and beliefs. Economic impact: contribution to the sale price of products, a firm s costs and revenues (micro level), and economic returns either through economic growth or productivity growth (macro level). Environmental impact: contribution to the management of the environment, for example, natural resources, environmental pollution, climate and meteorology. Health impact: contribution to public health, life expectancy, prevention of illnesses and quality of life. Political impact: contribution to how policy makers act and how policies are constructed and to political stability. Scientific impact: contribution to the subsequent progress of knowledge, the formation of disciplines, training and capacity building. Social impact: contribution to community welfare, quality of life, behaviour, practices and activities of people and groups. Technological impact: contribution to the creation of product, process and service innovations. Training impacts: contribution to curricula, pedagogical tools, qualifications. 30/08/2018 6
THE TRIANGLE Societal impact Quality of life Health Environment Public services Policy Creative activity Public engagement Understanding Education Economic impact Innovations Competitiveness Growth Jobs Budget savings Academic impact Theory Method Knowledge Technology development Researcher training Teaching and training Application 30/08/2018 7
Concept Definition Areas of application Concrete example Input The resources a research funder or people, infrastructure, knowhow, institution spends in the research background IP, money, etc. process Activities Output Outcome INPUTS, OUTPUTS, teams established, research undertaken, networking, etc. OUTCOMES, publications, conferences, IMPACT research leadership skills and new Actions taken or work performed as a result of research inputs The accomplishment or product of the activity Knowledge transferred and/or the changes that occur as a result of a programme/project Tends to be more immediate than most forms of impact A distinction can be made between scientific outcomes, societal outcomes (e.g. contribution to policy debates or documents, strategy development), and economic outcomes (e.g. start-ups, spinoffs, increased productivity in a certain field). experience for (less-connected) researchers, new (interdisciplinary) research collaborations for researchers, etc. Career advancement for (lessconnected) researchers; new research infrastructure and programmes on societal challenges; coordination of standards, procedures and methods; approved common research projects on interdisciplinary research; Identification of an antigen that triggers immunity for a certain disease Development or commercialisation of a vaccine against a disease Impact Effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia (HEFCE s definition) Environmental sustainability, protection and impact Wealth creation, economic prosperity and regeneration Enhancing cultural enrichment and quality of life Worldwide academic advancement Commercialisation and exploitation Eradication of the disease 30/08/2018 8
OBJECTIVES 30/08/2018 9
OTHER OUTPUTS Impact Case Studies Research Sample Repositories e.g. DNA etc. Written commentary and advices to agencies and NGOs Health education materials Booklets, DVDs, Video Public outreach (through seminars) Public lectures / speech Radio talk Guidelines Materials for museums Tours Advice Field schools Podcasts Television Popular magazines 30/08/2018 10
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX 1. EU / OECD 2. FINLAND 3. UH 4. Faculty YOU 1. EU / OECD: Policies for advancing science, economy, society 2. FINLAND: Government, Ministries, funding agencies 3. UH: Strategy, strategic research areas, hubs, organizational structure, infrastructure 4. Faculty / Department: Strategic plans, Centres of Excellences, Professors, research groups 30/08/2018 11
WHO BENEFITS? 30/08/2018 12
TYPES OF BENEFITS 30/08/2018 13
OBJECTIVES 30/08/2018 14
PITCH IN FUNDING PROPOSALS I. Set the Stage Lay Out the Problem ( Who Cares? ) A. Get the reviewer interested at the outset B. Identify the importance stress the need C. Summarize the state of the art D. Describe technical challenges to solving the problem and potential benefits II. State the theme Your Solution E. Describe the concept and establish credibility F. Describe your project s fundamental purpose III. Create a Vision ( So What? ) G. Show how your work will advance the field H. Envision the world with the problem solved The pitch should be the opening 2-3 paragraphs of the proposal s very first section (after the abstract), regardless of what that section is called (INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND, PROBLEM STATEMENT, SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH, SPECIFIC AIMS, etc.) 15
CLARITY IS EVERYTHING! Assume an uninformed but intelligent reader / listener: Use clear, accessible language Stick with direct statements and active voice ( It has been demonstrated that vs. Our research shows clearly that ) Avoid insider jargon and acronyms An expanding awareness of the limitations of our training settings, the political fallout of our training mission, the consequence of having therapists work in a particular work setting, and the need to change established institutional structures (e. g., child protective services, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, juvenile court) are examples of the contextualization of training and supervision.
2. ACADEMY OF FINLAND 30/08/2018 17
ACADEMY OF FINLAND The Academy of Finland // Review and funding decisions The Academy of Finland allocates funding on a competitive basis to the best researchers and research teams and to the most promising young researchers. Scientifically ambitious projects are a particular goal. We provide funding for all scientific disciplines. Our principles for the allocation of funding are as follows: high quality international outlook and cooperation impact responsibility contribution to science renewal. See also: http://www.aka.fi/globalassets/30tiedepoliittinentoiminta/tieteentila/aka_tieteen_tila_2016_eng_150317.pdf 30/08/2018 18
AKA: MOBILITY Researchers need a wide range of experience from working in different research environments to be able to increase their independence. By working in different kinds of research groups or in other research-related positions, researchers can further strengthen their personal networks and improve their chances of securing research positions or other expert tasks. For today s researchers, it is also important to be able to acquire new methodological skills and adopt new means of communicating with people with different backgrounds. Wide-ranging expertise can help to increase the impact of research and promote science renewal, which are among the Academy of Finland s most important strategic objectives in addition to improving scientific quality. (September Call 2017, p. 61) 2.3. Researcher mobility Sub-rating (1 6): Guiding question: How does the mobility plan support the research plan? Does the receiving organisation stand out in the respective field of research? Is the length of the mobility period appropriate and is its timing right for the project? [FOR ARF: What has been the quality of the applicant s previous mobility across international and/or sectorial borders?] 30/08/2018 19
NB. Abstract should be your sales pitch AKA: RESEARCH PLAN 1. Principal investigator (PI), project title, site of research, date of research plan 2. Rationale in brief 3. Scientific objectives and expected impact 3 A Scientific objectives 3 B Effects and impact beyond academia *Reach and potential utilisation value of the research beyond the scientific community *Self-assessment of the expected societal impact of the research in the long or short term 3 C Publication plan *Plan for publishing of research results, dissemination and communication to the scientific community, potential end-users and the general public, including open access issues 4. Research methods and material, support from research environment *Research methods, described so as to explain how they will contribute to answering the research questions/confirming the hypotheses, or how they will support the chosen approach *Research material to be used and its significance for the research project; justification for the research material and description of how the data will be collected and used. Enclose a separate data management plan outlining data management, storage, access and rights. 30/08/2018 20
AKA: RESEARCH PLAN 4. Research methods and material, support from research environment (cont d) *What kind of tangible support will the project receive from local, national and international research environments? *Use of research infrastructures, description of how the project benefits from such use (the infrastructures are also entered in the online application under Infrastructures) *Critical points for success, alternative implementation strategies 5. Ethical issues 6. Implementation: schedule, budget, distribution of work 7. Research team and collaborative partners *Merits of research team members that are relevant to the project *Key national and international collaboration, and its significance for project implementation 8. Research careers and researcher training *Advancing the research career of the applicant (or other researchers to be funded) *Researcher training, including arrangements for teaching and supervision, and degrees to be completed within the project *Promotion of equality 9. Mobility plan for the funding period 10. Bibliography 30/08/2018 21
AKA: POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER The aim of the funding for research posts as Postdoctoral Researcher is to support the most promising researchers who have recently completed their doctoral degree in gaining competence for demanding researcher or expert positions. Postdoctoral Researchers have established effective national or international collaborative networks. In the review of applications, particular attention will be paid to the international dimension of the research plan. Postdoctoral Researchers are encouraged to engage in international mobility and collaboration. We recommend that Postdoctoral Researchers provide (without separate compensation) supervision of thesis and dissertation writers in their own field and teaching associated with their field of expertise, covering 5% of annual working hours. However, no more than 10% of the annual working hours should be spent on teaching and other work not immediately associated with the researcher s own research. 30/08/2018 22
AKA: ACADEMY RESEARCH FELLOW When applying for funding for a research post as Academy Research Fellow you apply for funding for your own salary for up to five years. Academy Research Fellows work on research plans of a high scientific quality. Academy Research Fellows have built extensive research networks and the funding allows them to develop their skills of academic leadership and to establish themselves as independent researchers. A post as Academy Research Fellow will provide you with a good and diverse opportunity to work independently on your research and to contribute to developing the research in your field. As an Academy Research Fellow you are encouraged to engage in international research collaboration and mobility across international and sectoral borders, for example, so that you will work part of the term abroad. Foreign researchers who already work or who will work in the Finnish scientific community may also apply for the funding. The duties of Academy Research Fellows include (without separate compensation) supervision of thesis and dissertation writers in their own field and teaching associated with their research, covering 5% of annual working hours. 30/08/2018 23
AKA: ACADEMY PROJECT When applying for Academy Project funding, you apply for funding to set up a research team. The Academy Project funding scheme is designed to promote the quality and diversity of research, scientific impact and impact beyond academia as well as science self-renewal. The aim is to attain internationally as high a scientific standard of work as possible and to support scientific breakthroughs and top-tier international research collaboration. The funding is granted primarily to teams of researchers with doctoral degrees. In Academy Projects, we encourage researchers to engage in international mobility that will support the research, for example, so that researchers hired to the project work abroad for a fixed period. The project may also hire foreign researchers who already work or who will work in the Finnish scientific community. 30/08/2018 24
TAKE HOME MESSAGES Impact = making a difference on the world // having an effect via research Public funding agencies value highly multidisciplinarity and stakeholder engagement the argument being that in a such way the impact of research will be maximized and then the whole society (including public sector, the general public and companies) can benefit out of research Consider the impact as a whole; all funders want maximum impact, but they emphasize different parts of it Impact // Academy of Finland (i) science: scientific & methodological breakthroughs, interdisciplinarity, own line of research, academic leadership (ii) international (& national) collaboration, networks, mobility (iii) teaching, supervising thesis works (iv) career progression and commitment In research proposals, impact(s) should be integrated coherently all over the proposal, rather than being a separate, superficial description in a couple of sentences. Be concrete; state facts, figures and milestones; define what, when and with whom Think what objectives you have for your research and career -> plan what you need to produce (deliverables) -> plan your collaboration with relevant academic and non-academic stakeholders -> establish the networks, co-create and disseminate CV showcases your impact recall to include posters, contributions to material banks, patents (also pending ones), collaboration with industry and other stakeholders, invention disclosures, TED talks, appearances on media, education materials etc. CHECK THE REVIEW TEMPLATES! 30/08/2018 25
IMPACT TEAM http://blogs.helsinki.fi/andaction/ Impact and Business Collaboration, Research Services, University of Helsinki 26
THANK YOU! 30/08/2018 27