What we do
Research impact and REF support
Practical support to develop pathways to impact, strengthen engagement, evidence change and build credible REF impact case studies.
The offer
Independent support shaped around the question, context and intended use.
The Innovation Office provides UK research impact consultancy and REF support that treats planning, engagement, evidence and narrative development as one connected process. Support ranges from early pathways to impact through to REF impact training, case study review, mentoring and mock assessment, grounded in both institutional REF leadership and practical evaluation.
When this helps
Useful when you need clarity, momentum or an independent view.
- Promising research lacks a clear pathway from activity to change
- Engagement is happening, but its purpose and contribution are not well articulated
- Evidence is scattered, weak or being collected too late
- Potential REF impact case studies need prioritisation and developmental challenge
- Researchers or professional services teams need practical confidence and shared methods
Ways we can help
A flexible scope, assembled around what the work needs.
Stakeholder and beneficiary mapping
Engagement strategies designed around use, adoption and influence
Evidence reviews, interviews, surveys and targeted gap-filling
REF impact case study identification, developmental review and narrative support
Researcher mentoring, impact clinics and mock assessment
Workshops, bespoke training and interactive digital learning
Likely outcomes
Designed to leave something useful behind.
- More credible and achievable pathways to impact
- Engagement activity linked more clearly to intended change
- Stronger evidence of reach, significance and contribution
- Earlier identification of case study risks and evidence gaps
- Researchers and teams better equipped to sustain impact development
Delivery formats
Different ways to work together.
- One-to-one mentoring and case study clinics
- Team and institutional workshops
- Portfolio review and prioritisation
- Bespoke training programmes, online or in person
- Independent review, mock assessment and written feedback
- Embedded critical-friend support over an agreed period
Relevant experience
Credibility across research, evaluation and delivery.
- Former Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange
- Previous Head of Research with responsibility for REF Unit of Assessment submissions
- Developer of research impact and knowledge exchange toolkits for the University of Bath
- Impact assessment experience for Ireland’s Higher Education Authority
- Evaluation specialist and former Director of the UK Evaluation Society
Start with the need