Research

Overview:

There are increasing expectations, globally, that academic research outcomes will provide tangible and demonstrable benefit to society.  Universities are responding by increasing the emphasis on the societal impact of research in their strategic priorities and in performance expectations of academics. However, impact-related work, such as engaging with individuals and groups outside the university, is complex and requires information, skills, time, and resources not traditionally recognised in universities.  Embedding societal impact as part of academic culture and practice represents a shift in how universities function; however, limited research has been conducted on the role of universities in supporting and enabling impact work. 

Overall, impact work requires (and leads to) different information behaviours than for traditional academic activities (e.g., publishing, grant writing). Increasing expectations that research provides tangible and demonstrable benefits to society represents a paradigm shift that is shaping university information environments, creating new information needs, opportunities, and experiences for academics. New roles for professional staff in enabling societal impact are emerging, as universities establish supports to develop researchers’ capabilities and meet government and funder requirements. However, limited research examines the information behaviour implications of impact work for both academic and professional staff.

This study will address the following research questions:

1. What are academic and professional staff experiences of impact work?

2. What are the information behaviours associated with impact work for these staff?

3. How do organisational, professional, social, and personal factors influence impact work? 

What is the goal of the study?

The goal of this study is to understand the role of universities in supporting researchers with impact-related work through a better understanding of the information environments that can foster a strong and productive impact culture.

What is the potential impact of this study?

This study has the potential to influence university research support processes, incentives, and capability development activities relating to impact work by increasing awareness of how researchers develop their impact practices. My own experience as a research project manager and involvement in impact-focused communities of practice informed development of this research and provides continuing opportunities for engagement.

What will the study involve?

This study will explore the experiences and information behaviours of academic and professional staff in Australian universities in semi-structured interviews. It will also use critical discourse analysis of texts that describe, explain or discuss impact work, such as research strategies, policies and websites. 

This study has received ethics approval by the RMIT College Human Ethics Advisory Network (Application 26333).