Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Research Council (ARC), Professor Sue Thomas, has today welcomed the Government’s announcement of the findings of the Engagement and Impact Assessment pilot.
The Engagement and Impact (EI) Assessment was first announced in December 2015, as part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA), and the release of the EI Pilot Report marks a key milestone for this initiative. The aim of the assessment is to examine how universities are translating their research into economic, social and other benefits and encourage collaboration between universities and research end-users.
In 2017, the ARC conducted a pilot of the EI Assessment methodology in preparation for the first full Engagement and Impact Assessment in 2018 (EI 2018).
The EI Pilot Report summarises the findings from the pilot, and outlines modifications to the methodology for EI 2018.
Professor Thomas said that a key goal for the development of the EI Assessment was to make sure the methodology is robust and showcases university research in a way that industry and end-users can access.
“I am confident we have achieved this. EI 2018 will use a small suite of key quantitative indicators combined with supporting qualitative statements for assessing engagement.
“Impact will be assessed through qualitative studies that show both the direct social, economic, environment and cultural impacts of university research, as well as what universities are doing to facilitate the delivery of these impacts,” said Professor Thomas.
The release of the EI Pilot Report marks the end of the pilot and the start of preparations for the first full assessment in 2018.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants in the pilot for their work and contribution to the development of the EI Assessment. The pilot could not have occurred without the strong cooperation of the university sector, and the participation of researchers and end-users,” said Professor Thomas.
“Thank you also to the Engagement and Impact Steering Committee and its supporting working groups. Their expertise and advice was central in developing the methodology for 2018.”
For more information about the ARC or the Engagement and Impact Assessment, please visit the ARC website.