Impact is the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy. EPSRC recognises the need to ensure that funded researchers consider the wider implications of their work on people, the environment and health and delivering impact is a fundamental aspect of all EPSRC-funded research. Individual projects are required to incorporate activities within their work programme designed to realise the value of their work.
Contribution of the ARCC Network
Enhancing the impact of research beyond that achievable by individual projects is the primary aim of the ARCC network. Potential beneficiaries include policymakers and practitioners in central and local government, industry, academia and business.
The process of generating impact builds on a combination of processes ranging from establishing and sustaining relationships with key users through to ensuring relevance and appropriate timing of research outputs to meet policy and practice timetables. By facilitating a range of targeted engagement activities, the Network helps ensure stakeholders are better able to discover, access and make use of relevant information, evidence and outputs from research.
Influencing policy and practice
Outputs from across the ARCC CN are being incorporated into policy and practice. We also take the opportunity to provide coordinated responses to formal government consultations.
Demonstrating Network impact
The added value of having an overarching network is demonstrated through a series of case studies highlighting activities and approaches that are promoting the enhanced uptake and use of evidence.
ARCC case studies demonstrate the impact of the network and help share learning:
- Effective dissemination: Cascading knowledge through third party networks via ARCC CN conferences, with input from BIOPICCC project, Sustainability East and Essex County Council.
- Mobilising research to support related initiatives: working with other networks and programmes, including those with a remit to support commercial and business activities, to share expertise and research. Linking PROMETHEUS and COPSE outputs with the Technology Strategy Board Design for Future Climate programme.
- Sustaining engagement: drawing on experiences from three sequential research programmes (BKCC, SKCC, ARCC), the value of coordinated and long-term research programmes in promoting sustained engagement between researchers and stakeholders to better meet evolving evidence needs is explored.
- Synthesising information for decision-makers: working across research projects to provide comprehensive evidence for use by policymakers. Outputs from SNACC, CREW and LUCID inform the Green Deal.
- Working with professional institutions: providing evidence from a suite of ARCC CN projects to underpin advice and guidance given by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to its 20,000 building services professionals.
