I have previously blogged about "What do we really mean by research impact?" and "Planning research impact". This blogpost is short and sweet but is largely to provide a platform for three key resources which I hope those starting out in doing impact work may find useful.
The first resource is "Starting out with research impact". This basically does what it says on the tin. Key objectives of this resource are to help you:
Identify relevant beneficiaries of research
Understand the importance of identifying primary beneficiaries within research impact work
Gain a basic understanding of how impact activities can be undertaken, measured and recorded
The second resource which follows the first is more designed for those who may have the public as a primary beneficiary and where external engagement may be useful impact work. This resource is called "External engagement for public beneficiaries" and key objectives should help you:
Understand the differences between different forms of external engagement with public beneficiaries
Understand the way these external engagement activities can support impact
Understand practical ways when starting out in external engagement
The final resource is on "Research presence online". This outlines some first steps for the range of ways to develop your researcher presence via websites and professional online networking sites. It also provides some examples of how these may support researchers to demonstrate "impact".
I hope these resources are helpful as we start a new REF cycle. Of course, we don't yet know what the next REF will look like, but as with all things, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared!