She engaged in staff development with members of the academic staff in relation to planning for the impact of their research within the unit of assessment for education for the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Dr Dewhirst focused on encouraging members to reflect on their research and its wider social context. She reminded them of the current higher education policy arena with its growing focus on the role of impact and public engagement. Dr Dewhirst provided opportunities for members to explore their own research and to determine potential stakeholders and the role that they could play. Members took time to map out their own key stakeholders and to consider how they might engage such individuals or groups in their pathways to impact statements for funding applications. Towards the end of the session, Dr Dewhirst facilitated members to address how they could evaluate and gather evidence on the impact of their research in society, including ways in which they could influence policy.
The invitation to Dr Dewhirst was extended through joint work by Staff Development and the Research Office.
