Research impact unpacked? A social science agenda for critically analyzing the discourse of impact and informing practice

Abstract

U.K. policy is to embed “knowledge transfer as a permanent core activity in universities.” In this article, I propose an agenda for analyzing and informing the evolving practices of communicating university research insight across institutions, and for analyzing critically the ways in which “research impact” is being demanded, represented, and guided in current policy discourse. As an example, I analyze the U.K. Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) “Step-by-step guide to maximising impact,” using the concept of “recontextualization.” The analysis illustrates that the availability of relevant social science research does not ensure its use, even by the research funding council. It suggests that while a rationalist, common sense representation of communication may be functional in making research impact appear achievable within existing funding, it may be potentially counter-productive in terms of ensuring that research contributes to society. A recent project is cited to illustrate some of the intellectual challenges that are not indicated in the ESRC guide, and which demonstrate the value of social science insight.