In recent
years, the UK funders of research have implemented systems and processes
designed to incentivise researchers to pay attention to the impacts of their
research outside of the academy, for example in policy and practice, or among
the public. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the UK system for
assessing the quality of research, 'impact' was introduced in REF2014 and its
significance increased from 20% to 25% in REF2021. This imperative is clearly not going away! As a
researcher who has always paid attention to working alongside people in policy and practice (as well as public groups), knowledge exchange, and the impact
of my research in policy and practice, these are encouraging developments.
I have been working as a REF impact professional since 2012 and as an impact-focussed researcher and evaluator since 2006. I take a highly strategic approach and am experienced in the generation, evaluation and evidencing of impact, as well as developing, writing, editing and providing feedback on impact case studies, pathways to impact statements and impact strategies. I have worked on impact at University of Manchester, Kingston University and University of Westminster (as well as on a consultancy basis), and have experience across a range of UoAs and panels.
I have been working as a REF impact professional since 2012 and as an impact-focussed researcher and evaluator since 2006. I take a highly strategic approach and am experienced in the generation, evaluation and evidencing of impact, as well as developing, writing, editing and providing feedback on impact case studies, pathways to impact statements and impact strategies. I have worked on impact at University of Manchester, Kingston University and University of Westminster (as well as on a consultancy basis), and have experience across a range of UoAs and panels.
Some examples of my own 'impact'
Energy demand
I have
been involved with with DECC/BEIS since 2009, and am a member of BEIS’ smart meter expert
group. My ‘energy know-how’ concept (Burchell et al, 2015) is central
to BEIS’ work on energy advice (BEIS,
2017: 3). My consultation contributions have also been directly quoted and
reflected in Government responses (eg House
of Commons Science and Technology Committee, 2016: 13-4; UK
Government, 2016: 3).
Community Resilience
I have been
talking to the Community Resilience team in the Cabinet Office (Civil
Contingencies Secretariat) since 2015, and am an associate member of its Communities
Prepared National Group (I presented to this group in January 2018). My work on
community resilience is having (as yet uncited) impact in both new and planned community
resilience guidance for local authority practice from the Cabinet Office.
Heatwave planning
I have been
worked with Public Health England (PHE), the Greater London Authority and Defra
on heatwave planning since 2015, and am a member of several national heatwave
planning groups. My work on heatwave
planning will have a significant impact in PHE’s new Heatwave Plan (which acts
as guidance for local authority practice), due for publication in Spring 2018.
Public engagement with research
I have been
working with Research Councils UK (RCUK), Wellcome Trust and other key funders
of UK research since 2006 (and particularly since 2015). My work on public
engagement has had impact in RCUK’s recent Strategic
Support to Expedite Embedding Public Engagement with Research fund and State
of Play report, and in and Wellcome Trust’s work on public engagement.
Some comments from policy people
The
ability of Dr Burchell to conduct policy engagement and contribute to policy in
this wide variety of ways is highly valued. Director
of Extreme Events team (now former), Public Health England.
The
value of Dr Burchell’s practical approach to the research was evident,
providing real life impact, both for the communities and the local and national
policy partners.
Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Cabinet
Office.
Dr
Burchell’s recommendations are highly practical and actionable, and they are
made within the context of an in-depth understanding of our policy contexts and
objectives.
Head of Smart Meter Engagement team,
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Transitioning
from research to evidence, to policy and delivery is so important, and Dr
Burchell’s project demonstrates how this can occur. I particularly like the
engagement with local people and starting to understand how local people
respond. It’s really refreshing to get direct feedback from communities. Greater London Authority.
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