University of Otago Research Impact Guide : Pathways to Impact

Pathways to Impact

"Pathways to impact" means how you will maximise the impact from your work. You need to start thinking about this at the start of your research project. Below is a brief overview of MBIE's Results-Chain framework and examples of research by Otago academics who have embedded impact in their work. There are resources and tools available for planning impact into your work available online. For example, see Professor Mark Reed's Impact Tools and Templates.

Results-Chain

The above is MBIE's Result-Chain Framework that clearly lays out the pathway from research inputs to impacts beyond academia. It is important to build in engagement from the early stages of research to ensure it can have broader impact. MBIE has also developed a narrative CV that researchers can use when applying for grants, as these are more effective than traditional CVs for demonstrating how impact will be planned for.