IMPACT is the new buzz-word in academia!
In my definition, it refers to the ability of your work to breakthrough campus-walls and actually MEAN SOMETHING to the world outside the university.
Even though to a research student, it feels like academia is the only planet that truly exists, while Pluto, Uranus & co are extinct, there is actually a world out there that you always have to keep in mind while you work.
When I had a wonderful experience with BBC Africa as a Guest Editor (alongside Africa is a Country’s Sean Jacobs) in February this year, I didn’t really realise that sort of engagement had a name, IMPACT. (Full story on Y-Naija).
Your engagement may not be directly related to what your research is precisely about, but that doesn’t tamper down the impact of your IMPACT (pardon the pun).
In order to avoid ranting and going-off tangent, as bloggers are most susceptible to, I will drop tweets of key points that emerged from this event put together by the brilliant Charlotte (see her research blog & twitter profile).
Tweets from MAKING IMPACT WITH YOUR RESEARCH - #reximpact
today is all about Making an Impact! panels on Parliament, TV, the CIA and Social media. I’ll try to tweet a bit! @researchex #RExImpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
Checking in @ResearchEx “Making Impact with your Research” #phdchat #reximpact
— Tomi Oladepo (@Tomi_Ola) May 21, 2012
“Free trips to Washington” is one of the perks of making IMPACT, I certainly wouldn’t mind
Interesting talk by Murran #reximpact
— Tomi Oladepo (@Tomi_Ola) May 21, 2012
Now Richard Aldrich moves onto public engagement strategy, but notes that much of it is serendipitous #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
Aldrich: you can’t set the agenda, it grows from current events and opportunities that arise; take what come up #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
“Note that the opportunities rolling off the hill towards you are not necessarily shaped to fit in with your research…” #reximpact
— Tomi Oladepo (@Tomi_Ola) May 21, 2012
How do you find time for impact? Integrate it with what you’re doing, research trips, and make it fun #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
It’s all about who you know; develop a relationship with media contacts over time,focus on fewer strong contacts #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
Use press offices as your entry into media – university, funding council and publishers all have good media relations #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
You need ‘impact buddies’ in your field; again it’s about the stronger relationships with a few key contacts #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
“Almost any research project has policy relevance…” if you look deep enough… #reximpact
— Tomi Oladepo (@Tomi_Ola) May 21, 2012
“Impact is a challenge… You do have to spend money and keep an address book…” #reximpact
— Tomi Oladepo (@Tomi_Ola) May 21, 2012
How to get work noticed: why would others be interested? Timing, targets, availability and public relations #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
Finishing the day with Philip Cowley on getting research into Parliament #reximpact
— Charlotte Mathieson (@cemathieson) May 21, 2012
A big thank you to @cemathieson for putting together such a great event on making impact with your research #RExImpact
— Tomi Oladepo (@Tomi_Ola) May 21, 2012
For more tweets on this event, do check the Hash-Tag - #reximpact
I’m off for now!
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