Research impact is the demonstrable contribution that research makes to society, the environment, and the economy by tackling some of the challenges faced in the world and its inhabitants today. Impact is important because it helps keep a focus on the overall purpose, rather than the process, of research. At a more everyday level, research impact matters to individual researchers because it matters to funders, including tax-payers, and as it justifies the time and effort that goes into research.
To help develop impact skills and an understanding of how impact is achieved, we are joining up with the Maxwell Centre to host an advanced workshop on research impact for early career researchers[1] (ECRs). The course will be delivered by Mike Colechin and Andy Boston of Heuristic Games and will take place in Cambridge on 23 May 2023.
Using well-established business game methodologies, participants will gain:
In addition, the business game environment is a safe place in which to develop and enhance personal skills such as:
The workshop is for UK-based ECRs, who are actively conducting energy research and are interested in a whole systems approach to energy research. It will be an interdisciplinary event, and we are keen to ensure inclusivity through support for carers, and other accessibility related measures. We urge anyone who requires reasonable adjustments in order to attend to contact UKERC’s Operations Manager Kajsa-Stina Longuere directly.
In a similar fashion to the inclusive writing retreat organised by UKERC in November 2022, the 35 successful applicants will be chosen through randomisation. We will support applicants without travel budgets by organising and covering their accommodation in Cambridge if necessary, and we will reimburse their travel costs.
The workshop will take place, 9:30 am – 15:00 pm on 23 May 2023, in the Rayeleigh and JJ Thompson Seminar Rooms at the Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0HE.
A vegetarian lunch will be provided and participants will have the opportunity to network with senior academics with a view to discussing career paths and the development of their researcher identities.
To ensure that those with caring commitments are able to participate, we will cover additional childcare costs, however we are not able to provide childcare on location in Cambridge. If you have questions regarding our support for carers, please contact Kajsa-Stina Longuere directly.
Please submit your completed application form to ukerc@ucl.ac.uk.
Access the application form here.
Open for applications: 14 March 2023
Deadline for applications: 14 April 2023
Successful applicants notified: 17 April 2023
Deadline for confirming attendance: 24 April 2023
[1] Our definition of ECR’s aims to capture individuals employed to conduct research activities on precarious contracts (e.g. open-ended, fixed term or project-funded) and who have not previously led a project exceeding £100k. Mid-career researchers are also welcome to apply, as long as they also meet this definition.