Exploitation and Impact

Demonstrating the impact of research is now critical to modern projects and forms a key criterion of proposal evaluation. Our team have gained expertise from working with multiple sectors on key societal challenges including addressing unmet health needs; improving food and energy security; contributing to industrial competitiveness and a sustainable bioeconomy; and responding to climate change. A collaborative research approach must fill knowledge gaps and drive desired change.

Project impact is realised through the development, dissemination and use of project results. Bland generic statements about publications and conferences alongside vague references to involving stakeholders and end-users are not good enough in today's highly competitive research climate. The proposed impact should be quantifiable, and arguments need to use up-to-date facts and figures, referring to market analysis and relevant policy information. Our practical experience can help to create well planned and executed strategies for competitive projects. To support this, we have developed tools to work with researchers, managers and broader stakeholder communities to design and deliver specific plans to demonstrate Impact. Our approach can include

• Creative and horizon scanning tools to understand the state of the art and the research landscape, engage in consultations with stakeholders and identify future societal challenges and opportunities;
• Mapping tools to identify results and select routes to transfer knowledge towards end users;
• Design tools to codevelop specific and focused IMPACT sections including monitoring strategies and reporting.
• Valorisation to deliver dissemination and exploitation activities including IP management, science conferences and publication strategies and open science/open data approaches.