Academic Research Impact

We raise the profile of university research to attract funders and students and provide services that extract additional value from REF impact case studies. We also offer high-quality impact training.

Why choose Bulletin Academic?

We are experts in impact.
We have worked for around 30 universities and research institutes in the UK, Europe and Hong Kong.
We have been involved in impact case study development and training since 2012 and have edited and reviewed hundreds of case studies across most UoAs.

Maximising the audience for research impact stories

REF 2021 impact case studies are a unique record of the impact of research from UK universities.

Universities invested months or years of effort into crafting case studies for assessment by the REF panels. Now the process is over, that work may disappear from view. Many universities are thinking about how they can further leverage it to attract students, commercial partners, stakeholders and funding.

The information in a REF case study is the perfect basis for communicating the nature of the research, the findings and their impacts to a non-specialist audience.

Using your case study we can produce engaging “thumbnail” summaries of the research and its impacts.

Videos look good on a website and allow for a fuller treatment of the subject matter, including interviews and background music.

Overviews in Microsoft Sway format work well on mobile phones and tablet PCs. Links to additional media (such as video and web pages) can be embedded in them to provide access to further detail.

Traditional-look case studies written in accessible language for a general audience work well on a website or printed and can be collated to create overview documents.

Also see our case study on Maximising impact of research on policymaking for the University of Hertfordshire

Impact Training for Academics

Our research impact workshops build the skills academic staff need to develop and maximise the impact of their research.

Our lead trainer, Kristine Pommert, is highly experienced and CIPD-qualified, with longstanding experience of designing and delivering a wide range of specialist training.

Our thorough understanding of the impact agenda means we are exceptionally well placed to deliver effective training in this area.

“It was a real pleasure to sit in… you and the team are instrumental in really understanding how impact translates in academia, and that is no mean feat!”

Dr Lisa Mooney, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Sheffield Hallam University

Our workshops are modular so that universities can pick exactly what they need. Modules can be tailored to the requirements of each group.

Our current workshops include:

We can also create fully bespoke workshops to meet most academic training needs, so just contact us if you need something different.

Influencing policy

Policy impact is a great way to demonstrate the value of academic research.

It strengthens the case for future funding. In a fast-moving political environment, Covid-19 and Brexit are presenting new opportunities and challenges that research can help address

Our services build the capabilities of universities and their researchers to maximise impact.

“A very stimulating workshop. It has reshaped our approach to impact. It prompted us to apportion requisite time to this dimension of research, and to make more efficient use of that time.”

Dr John Moriarty, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast

Training and coaching

Our current offer includes:

Influencing policy: introduction for ECRs and mid-career researchers
A workshop designed to raise awareness of how policy is made and how academic research can inform it. Aimed at all research-active staff new to influencing policy.

Writing effective policy briefs
A workshop looking at the content, language and structure a policy brief needs to make an impact. With time for each participant to work on their own policy brief and receive feedback.

Policy brief surgeries
Individual feedback on existing draft policy briefs.

Giving evidence to Select Committees
An informal briefing for individuals or groups on giving oral or written evidence to a Select Committee, by former MP Dr Nick Palmer.

Engaging with the policy community: making your mark through social media
This workshop helps academics who have little experience of blogs, Twitter and other social media outlets, to get the best out of them.
Media training
Workshops for academics wanting to influence the policy agenda through TV, radio, print or online interviews. Includes tips for being interviewed on Teams or Zoom. Tailored to participants’ level of media proficiency.

Download a summary of our policy-orientated training – Getting Policymakers to Listen

Strategic analysis: identifying your front-runners

We can undertake an independent analysis of the potential of your research to deliver policy impact. As part of this, we will:

Identify policy areas where impact is most likely and map them against your strongest and most relevant research.
Recommend research areas to be targeted to generate policy impact.
Identify ‘high-fliers’ (researchers whose work is particularly promising in terms of influencing policy) and address any training needs they may have.
Define and deliver a practical policy strategy for the university as a whole or a faculty, department or research centre.

Communications and PR support

Providing policy guidance and actively participating in the development, shaping and discussion of policy can help raise the profile of your university and individual researchers. With our sister organisation, an established PR agency, we can support this process by: