Fraser Rowan
I am a Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager working with a broad range of Arts and Humanities based subjects, focusing in particular, where research can have Cultural and Social impact.
Location Scotland
Activity
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Fraser Rowan replied to Zoe S
One of the aims of the Research Hub is to create space for collaboration with non academic partners @AnniTüski. So, in principle, yes. The Research Hub could be accessible to patients and patient advocates. The intention is that the ground floor should be open to the public.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Zoe S
That wouldn't surprise me @ZoeS
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Fraser Rowan replied to Emma Sarter
Thanks @EmmaSarter
This is an excellent example. I'm involved on the peripheries of a similar project at Glasgow Uni. Linking directly with the agencies that are the support mechanisms 'on the ground' provides a completely different perspective and is beneficial to both academic and non-academic parties. -
That's showing real innovation @MohammadRayhanSharif
It's an excellent way to create and maintain networks leading to lasting partnerships. -
Absolutely right - regular communication is essential @JohnStevenson
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Fraser Rowan replied to Zoe S
Excellent point @ZoeS I think the way most HEIs have responded to COVID shows a degree of manoeuvrability that was perhaps not expected. I wonder if we can continue that momentum in other areas.
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Thanks for your thoughts here @RaihanaFerdous
You have communicated your view clearly. -
Fraser Rowan replied to Emma Huyton
That's great to hear @EmmaHuyton
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Fraser Rowan replied to Fatima G
Very welcome @FatimaG. I'm glad your commitment to the course is worth it.
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Thanks @ZoeS. Perfect explanation. It's useful to point out how the challenges of impact vary with discipline. Your views throughout the course would be appreciated.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Oscar Moreno
Thanks @OscarMoreno - bear in mind that impact is not just about science. Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences all play an equitable role in impact.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Karin B
Thanks @KarinB & @NasreenAhsan my colleagues would be the first to admit that I am not a big fan of research for research sake. But, Blue Sky research is hugely important for the development of new 'stuff' or new fields of research. I believe that 100% of research can have an impact. But sometimes its down to folks like me (a KE and Impact Manager) to make...
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That's a really interesting take @KarinB But I'd suggest that you don't underestimate your value to the research process. Having someone on a team that has experience from both sides of the fence is an asset to be exploited to the fullest. It shouldn't be a substitute for consulting the community though ;-)
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Thanks for sharing this @EmmaSarter Far more people are in this position than you might think. Consultation is vital. A super important part of the process. More on this later but I'm delighted that you brought this up.
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Great thought @JohnStevenson
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Hey @KarinB you could have a stab at it and see how/if your view changes over the duration of the course. You can share it or keep it to yourself ;-)
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Thanks @NasreenAhsan You don't have to upload your template. It would be great if you could share your thoughts on how it changes your perspective or makes you think differently about your work. Feel free to start a discussion here to talk about your experiences or if you are finding any aspects of the template challenging.
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Excellent response @EmmaSarter and that 'different perspective' is something that is often overlooked
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Fraser Rowan replied to John Stevenson
Thanks @JohnStevenson Back in the 2014 REF there was a lot of reverse engineering going on to evidence impact. Planning impact at the stage the project is taking shape can avoid a head-ache later on. More about that later in the course.
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That's and interesting point @KarinB If we are looking to communicate beyond our peer reviewed journals, should we be publishing elsewhere and if so where? Also, should we think about translating from academic speak to lay-terms? How do you balance between accessibility and academic reputation?
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Good and concise @JohnStevenson
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Fraser Rowan replied to Marilou Polymeropoulou
Thanks @MarilouPolymeropoulou. Fascinating doctorate. I think you are the first person that I've heard of that's studied chipmusic. I'm more of a modular person myself.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Karin B
Interesting field of research @KarinB. I'll be interested to hear how that progresses.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Nicol Keith
I like your ambition here @JaniceMurray That's a tough ask though ;-)
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That's an important point @WendyInglisHumphrey
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Fraser Rowan replied to Noor Ellahi
Indeed @NoorEllahi it is worthwhile reflecting on our current situation and how that might change the future of networking.
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@VickyHeath I'd second that @WendyInglisHumphrey that's really useful.
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Perhaps you could consider changes in the school curriculum? Who considers what is important in schools? Potentially those setting the exams? Currently, we in Glasgow feel that it is important that school students better understand the role Glasgow played in the slave trade, for example.
Aside from change in the curriculum, literature and culture is hugely...
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Thanks for sharing @GiovannaLima
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Fraser Rowan replied to Giovanna Lima
Thanks for sharing Mark's template @GiovannaLima It's a really useful starting point and gets you thinking about the important aspects of stakeholder analysis.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Esther Laird
Excellent advice @EstherLaird
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Fraser Rowan replied to Althea Phoenix
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on ethics and how they play a role here @AltheaPhoenix Do you have any specific examples that highlight how ethics might influence academic/industry collaboration?
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Fraser Rowan replied to Esther Laird
Great observations @EstherLaird. On the issue of ownership/protection etc. I'd say you are likely to address that on a case by case basis. It is important to firstly understand the policies of the institution you are affiliated with. You might find that these things have already been decided by the University Court for example. There will likely be specific...
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I think that this is where education of the benefits of good impact come into play @CorneliusMandlaMbathaCM. Referring back to the 'What's in it for me' section - 1.7 - might offer some useful pointers that will help you get the message across.
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Delighted to hear this is useful @RichardDiegoLluen
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Fraser Rowan replied to Anita Chiang
That's an excellent point @AnitaChiang
It is unlikely to happen, but avoid others taking your fantastic ideas by having 'confidential' chats with folks you know and trust. -
Fraser Rowan replied to Hugh Wilkins
Again, sage words @HughWilkins. When you move from commercially driven impacts towards impacts in the cultural and/or social sectors the model does start to change. This is perhaps most evident in my own sector - Arts & Humanities - where exchanges of people time, i.e. placements/internships can be the currency traded. In-kind support is highly valued in these...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Hugh Wilkins
That's an excellent point @HughWilkins. It is never nice to think of the worse case scenario at the start of a collaborative venture. However, if you do, you can plan for these things.
Most muti-partnered projects will establish the rules and 'what-ifs' via a collaboration agreement. Most folks don't know they exist as they are only ever relied upon when... -
Fraser Rowan replied to Hugh Wilkins
Great to hear @HughWilkins
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Nail on the head @MichaelEllis. This is often overlooked. You could be looking at an entirely new skill set that is not easily accessible.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Lucy Smith
Another way I look at these differences @LucySmith is whether an organisation is driven by profit or not. For example - private company versus charity.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Teresa Holmes
Thanks for pointing that out @TeresaHolmes. Absolutely right.
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In the long-term, getting education right is a good priority @MichaelEllis
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Very well articulated @NSIIMENTACHARITY.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Teresa Holmes
This can't be underestimated @TeresaHolmes. You make a great point here. Often these networks can be quite opaque from the outside. That's where excellent contacts or good old-fashioned networking comes in handy.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Meredith Lewis
Very useful @GiovannaLima
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Fraser Rowan replied to Hugh Wilkins
That's great to hear @HughWilkins
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Fraser Rowan replied to Hugh Wilkins
That's a worthy point you bring out @HughWilkins. It is often something that I mention to academic colleagues as a positive when they are not sure if the impact path is right for them.
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Fraser Rowan replied to José Pereira V
Sounds like you have already had good experiences of Impact @JoséPereiraV
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Fraser Rowan replied to Ijeoma Ajala
You are in a subject that is impactful by nature @IjeomaAjala. Hopefully by the end of the course we will have assisted you to make your existing processes more efficient.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Nadia B
Good luck with that paper @NadiaB. That's a really interesting subject area.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Ijeoma Ajala
Thank you @IjeomaAjala. Hope you enjoy the course.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Wendy Inglis Humphrey
You make a really important observation here @WendyInglisHumphrey. Impact is not for every academic unfortunately. You have to recognise when some colleagues are not right for the project (or the partners). If they are not a good fit, it is important to know when to put the brakes on. I think we counter that culture through the provision of good information...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Alastair Craig Orr
Far more complex and far more interesting too @AlastairCraigOrr
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Fraser Rowan replied to Joanne Pettitt
Hi @JoannePettitt - research will always impact different groups in different ways. Once you start identifying those different 'strands' of impact you can prioritise which are most important to you.
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Hi @LucySmith - that point where you step back from a project and really consider who it might add value to or who might be interested...... that's the part I enjoy working with colleagues on the most. Light bulb moment!
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Fraser Rowan replied to Teresa Holmes
Exactly @TeresaHolmes Recognising the value of evaluation and amending as appropriate is key.
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Great to hear the template is influencing your perspective @CheronoAchieng
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Exactly the case @MeredithLewis @WendyInglisHumphrey
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Thanks @MeredithLewis. We talk about tertiary education here too but I wasn't entirely sure if you were referring to your charitable sector which we refer to as the 3rd sector. I suppose sectors across the board are suffering at the moment. Here's hoping for things to get back on track safely as quickly as possible.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Meredith Lewis
The Conversation is a fantastic example of how academics can communicate their research in an accessible way, which is a key aspect of impact. (The Conversation is where I usually start my day and I almost never fail to have the 'well, I didn't know that!' moment.)
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Hi @JonathanEapen - measuring success or evaluating is a fundamental part of impact and it is often overlooked. You are coming at this from quite a different perspective and I think that will be of value to the others on the course. I look forward to your thoughts as the course progresses. Many of the evaluation techniques for impact have originated from the...
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That's a great outline Anita.
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Hi @MeredithLewis - can you define your 'tertiary sector'?
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Fraser Rowan replied to Aqsa Ahmed
Hi Aqsa. Indeed, good research can lead to financial benefits for an organisation but it can also lead to both cultural and societal benefits too (which can be of equal if not greater importance than that of finances). Hopefully this will become clearer as the course progresses.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Meredith Lewis
Hi Meredith, I've been working in the Arts and Humanities myself for a number of years. The lessons learned from creating impact from research are transferable across any subject area and discipline. Having an understanding of impact and the benefits it can bring will make you an asset within teams involving academics and the non-academic community. Enjoy the...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Irina Silva
That's really great to hear Irina.
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Hi Wendy. Some academics see the application of their research and the non-academic partners as integral to their project. Others find their research to be niche or too far back from the application focused milestones. Personally, I really enjoy working with these folks and helping them realise that all research can have impact.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Kimani van der Meulen
Hi Kimani. Impact is indeed a big part of entrepreneurship. Are there specific fields or disciplines that interest you most?
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Hi @CarolinaGonzález I work within the Arts & Humanities and regularly experience colleagues feeling that their work is so specialised and couldn't have an impact outside of academia. The template is a great way to get you thinking slightly differently about your work and more importantly, who might benefit. Community theatre, for example, is a great way to...
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Great reasoning Petrus.
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Hopefully this course will enable you to contribute to your institution's Impact strategy Dawn. I'd be delighted to hear if that is the case later on in the course.
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Ensuring you have the wider picture before taking action in a project is a great goal to set yourself Selin.
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Fraser Rowan replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
Great to hear this process has been useful Judit.
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Hi Inaki. It really does change your perspective on a project overall, rather than purely focusing on your narrow field of expertise. Great comment.
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Great definition Pedro.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Bruce Masama
Hi Bruce. Good observation. In industry most things come back to an economic impact, whereas the health sector is more concerned with the value to health & well-being. There is an economic impact associated with health & well-being but it is not usually the primary driver.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Susanne Cochary
You make a great point Susanne. There's usually an incentive that can spur colleagues on to open up and collaborate. I have encountered folks that simply didn't believe that someone out side of academia could possibly know more than them. (They ended up pleasantly surprised!) However, there's only so far you should push that. I found out early on that...
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Excellent explanation Martin. With Education comes the ability to address poverty and hunger. Providing money and food where needed will solve issues in the short term. However, education provides the ability to become self-sustaining. Your project sounds fantastic.
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There's no right or wrong answer here and initially I answered the same way you did. However, the prioritisation of Education might drive the clean water and sanitation agenda.
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Fraser Rowan replied to Ria Rebstock
Hi Ria. Thanks for your input. Indeed, it is absolutely critical to have those who are likely to benefit from the impact onboard from the very start. It makes sense when you think about it. But at the planning stages of research project those communities of interest are seldom represented. In product design circles its called design led thinking. You wouldn't...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Liz Broadbent
Hi Liz, the benefits both personally and professionally is often a surprise to folks engaging impact for the first time. Thinking about your work from a different perspective often reveals new research questions. Thinking about how to communicate your work to a (potentially) new audience such as stakeholders is always challenging but equally rewarding.
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Great to hear that the template is proving to be inspirational Abram.
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Excellent elaboration Laura. Collaborative working can offer entirely new philosophies/methologies that are only available when you combine disciplines.
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Hi @IvanaExSandic, I'm intrigued by your comment. Do you have any examples you would be able to share?
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Public Engagement is hugely valuable and there is a growing appetite for the layperson to understand aspects of research. However, having impact with your research does not necessarily mean that the general public are aware of the research behind it, more that they benefit. (The public having an appreciation of the research and benefiting from it would of...
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That's an encompassing understanding of impact Harveen. Great stuff.
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It is great that you recognise that not all research funded in universities reach beyond the walls of academia Aisha. I note that you talk about impact in terms of 'science' and 'industry'. Have you considered what impact might look like in the context of the non-science community? The disciplines the research might come from and the sectors the non-academic...
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Hi Laura. That's a great view of impact and its great to think of research being shared in such an open way. Impact can also be closed and confidential. Take contract research for example, where an organisation might pay for research and, under condition of contract, own exclusive rights to exploit the outputs or finding of the research for their own economic...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Colin Sherborne
Hi Colin, Its a pity that RCUK have removed the actual 'pathways to impact' section in the applications. However, impact thinking will still be critical to the success of applications and will need to be integrated throughout - perhaps making it more difficult. Be sure to post any questions you might have as you go.
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I agree Joseph. Having the correct environment to bring different groups together is really important. Make this easy for all those involved - make them excited about meeting and you have the foundations for engaging positively with co-collaboration.
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I'd agree Joseph. To elaborate further with the example of industry vs a health service - the former is likely to be driven by economic goals whereas a heath service is more likley to have social/health targets. Ultimately they are both tied into the ecomomy but the primary drivers are quite different. It is hugely important to recognise these differences and...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Rob Brown
Hi Rob. Ideally, you would have beneficiaries/end-users in the project from the very start. Part of the initial stages would be identifying these folks/groups. Thats not always possible but the earlier the better. Especially as you will be planning and perhaps applying for funding. Its more difficult to make changes to plans after getting the ball rolling....
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This is a high value goal for you then Babajide. Working with non-academic partners even at the course level can improve employability of your graduates and show how research can make a difference in the 'real world'. Both of these reasons are great for raising the profile of your organisation which in turn can drive up applications from students wanting to...
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Working more collabratively is a great goal. It can open up so many different doors from funding to field of influence. Cross disciplinary thinking/working has a multitude of benefits.
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Key to thinking at this stage is, as you've highlighted - what do YOU want to do. You may identify a route that would enable impact with the largest community of interest, but if its not what you really what to do then is it the right choice? Your career path/trajectory is important. Veering too far off that path in order to maximise your impact may not always...
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Fraser Rowan replied to Boyd Metz
Hi Boyd. Sorry for the delayed response to your comment. You raise a valid point. If we are considering that impact is the change or influence that our research might have, then yes, our impact can be within academia. But, our focus for this course is more about how our research might have impact out side of academia.
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Hi Alex. It is refreshing to see consideration of monitoring and evaluation within your impact project. (I picked you up in a response to @RobBrown's comments - see above.)
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Hi Rob. You are on the button with regards to relevance. It's interesting that you pick up on the 'measuring' side of impact. There are a number of reasons impact evaluation has become hugely important but fundamentally if we don't evaluate how our research is being used how will we become better at impact. @AlexFulton picked up on this too. Embedding...
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These are great points Susanne.
It might seem counterintuitive, but be mindful that the impact of your work might take place out side the discipline of the research. Improved ways of doing things (for example) can often be transferred to other disciplines.
Also, much of the impact I encounter on a day to day basis starts off small. Its important to realise...
