Post on 26-Jul-2015
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
AN ONTOLOGY AND PLATFORM FOR COLLECTING IMPACTS:
PRACTICAL IMPACT REPORTING
LAURA FEDORCIOW VERTIGO VENTURES
LAURA@VERTIGOVENTURES.COM
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
WHY WE’RE HERE
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Impact is here to stay
What we mean by ‘impact’
Impact information
Easy to use tools
Beyond processes and
systems
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
OUR HISTORY2009
• Founded Vertigo Ventures
2010
• Developed a comprehensive impact taxonomy.
2011
• Wrote impact reports, including for the REF, for organisations across sectors, using the taxonomy
2013
• Universities asked for help with creating ‘institutional memory’ for impact
2014
• Technology partnership established with a leading web development firm
2014
• Launched and rolled out VV-Impact Tracker from July, across UK universities
2015
• VV-Impact Tracker launch event in January
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CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
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WHAT IS IMPACT
HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING
COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
(HEFCE) DEFINITION OF IMPACT
For the purposes of the REF, impact
is defined as an effect on, change or
benefit to the economy, society,
culture, public policy or services,
health, the environment or quality of
life, beyond academia. (REF, 2012).
Research paper
Presentation at event
Event Chair presents findings to National body
National body lobbies government
Change in legislation and resulting effects
Publication information e.g. journal, date, DOI
Event programme
Meeting agenda
Meeting minutes
Policy/Act updates
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Capturing an impact pathway:
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
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CHALLENGE
Unstructured data File repository only Administrative burden
Time intensive Retrospective impact capture
only
Neglects behaviour change
requirement
Manage as we go
Strategic lens
Re-purpose information for different audiences
“We do not have data/evidence readily available to demonstrate how the research has had an impact to funding bodies and other stakeholders to scale work” UK University Impact Officer
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
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Future funding requires impact evidence
Total impact £ value is expanding
EU; £17.0
RCUK, £2.6
REF UK, £1.9
Charities £0.9
£ in billion
• Impact spending on REF in the UK was £55,000,000
• Now, EU H2020 and RCUK funding is conditional to strong impact
Organisations require impact information in these terms
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
POWERED BY VV-IMPACT METRICS AN ESTABLISHED IMPACT TAXONOMY
1. Cited in papers and builds on the Kellogg
Foundation Logic Model
2. User-tested taxonomy across disciplines
– In use as part of an impact capture system for a
UK university
– Been used with UK-wide universities to evidence
REF case studies
3. Replicable, simple process to identify impact
4. Comprehensive and used across sectors
5. Precise indicators for evidencing impact
6. Actively maintained by Vertigo Ventures
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Impact Type
Stakeholder
Impact Level
Activities
Outcome
Impact Indicator
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
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VV-IMPACT TRACKER V1.0
Supporting organisations to plan, monitor and report their research impact
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
IMPACT MOVING FORWARD
Impact
Reporting
Manual population
PI/researcher
Admin
Auto-population
Vertigo’s streams
Culture
Awareness Training
Behaviour change
Reporting
Creating opportunities
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If we can reduce the reporting burden, it allows the focus to be on affecting behaviour change and amplifying impact
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
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KEY TAKE AWAYS
1) Impact ‘taxonomies’ are key for clean data but need to be carefully thought through in systems for adoption
2) Systematically recording impact is key for institutional memory
3) Need to measure impact in real time for the best results
CONFIDENTIAL © Vertigo Ventures 2015
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THANK YOU
LAURA FEDORCIOWE: LAURA@VERTIGOVENTURES.COM
T: +44 (0) 7957 814 344