• Are you a University of Bath researcher who wants to make an impact with your research?
• Do you want to develop impact including engaging and communicating with others outside of the University?

If the answer is yes, then apply for our Impact and Knowledge Exchange Fellowship today!

Background

Our Fellowship Scheme is now in its fifth year and has been created by the University of Bath with the support from HEIF, and the University of Bath's EPSRC IAA and ESRC IAA funds. It is was initially driven by the positive experience of one of the project leads who took part in a similar scheme at UCL and our desire to improve our impact training, this year's scheme and has used the positive experiences and learning from the previous cohorts to further inform and develop the programme. Read our blog to find out more about the Fellows experiences.

I would recommend the Impact and Knowledge Exchange Fellowship to other researchers, particularly those who are beginning to think about the wider relevance and potential impact of their research. The Fellowship provides something that can be difficult to find within a busy academic career: time, space, practical tools and supportive people to think about what your research could achieve and how it could benefit people and wider society.

Dr Georgina Wort, Research Associate, Department for Health

Overall, the fellowship has changed how I think about impact, given me practical tools to pursue it more strategically, and connected me with both people and resources that will continue to influence my work long after the programme has finished.

Dr Beate Ehrhardt, Mathematical Innovation Research Fellow, Institute for Mathematical Innovation

The Fellowship brings together external and internal experts to deliver you training and development opportunities in research impact, approaches to planning for impact (Theory of Change), delivering impact (including knowledge exchange) and evidencing impact (monitoring and evaluation).

Benefits

If you sign up you will be one of only 15 Fellows to receive:

• a nine month development programme to build your knowledge and skills in engaging and communicating with stakeholders including business and Industry, policy-makers and the public
• bespoke mentoring, coaching and structured activities to support you to apply the learning to your research
• opportunities to take part in additional training outside of the core activities to meet your needs
• opportunities to apply for funding to help you to apply your knowledge and skills to benefit your research and the wider community and society

You will benefit from the programme through:

Improved knowledge, skills and experience in research impact
You will have the opportunity to take part in a programme of highly interactive and participatory training, to develop your knowledge and skills in research impact and activities such as, knowledge exchange, engagement, communication and dissemination; but will also equip you with confidence and skills in collaborating, communicating and relationship building.

Support to enhance impact of research to benefit others
You will enhance the impact, or potential impact, of your own research by being supported to apply the knowledge, skills and experience gained through the fellowship. This will be through mentoring, coaching and taking part in structured activities.

Opportunities to grow your own Network
You will gain improved knowledge of how to engage with stakeholders and grow your own network. You will start to develop a network with researchers at the University and external stakeholders. You will have an opportunity to join a community of practice of Impact Fellows and other champions for knowledge exchange and impact.

Recognition and rewards
You will become an Impact and Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the University of Bath. The Fellowship will enhance your continuing professional development, which in turn will benefit your CV.

Eligibility

The applicant must have a doctoral degree and be employed on a fixed-term or open-ended research-related contract by the University. The Fellowship programme is counted as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Therefore, the time the applicant spends on the programme must be covered by their contract, and be supported and approved by their line manager.

Duration and commitment

The Fellowship will run for nine months from January to September 2027, with a break in August. It will require a commitment of approximately 1 to 2 hours per week (on average) for 6 months between February and July. This will include a 3.5 hour group training session once a month on a Wednesday afternoon (usually 13.00 – 16.30) plus mentoring (1:1 support for 3 - 6 months to help apply the learning to your research), structured activities and bespoke training.

We request that:

• Fellows will all attend the launch and feedback events as well as at least five out of six workshops or their catch up sessions. (Dates are below and in the application form)
• Fellows will be in regular contact with their mentor and/ or coach and will receive bespoke support (as agreed between yourselves)
• Fellows will participate in an evaluation of the Fellowship scheme

Timetable

The outline core training timetable, subject to change, will occur from 13.00 to 16.30 unless otherwise stated, is as follows:

• 19 October 2026: Applications open
• 4 November 2026: Application information session 1 11:00-11:30
• 10 November 2026: Application information session 2 12:00-12:30
• 16 November 2026: Applications close at 12:00
• 27 November 2026: Notify applicants of outcome
• 27 January 2027: Launch event 12:00-14:00
• 10 February 2027: Workshop 1: Introduction to planning for impact - Theory of Change
• 17 March 2027: Workshop 2: Cohort building, communication and future visioning
• 21 April 2027: Workshop 3: Identifying and prioritising your stakeholders
• 19 May 2027: Workshop 4: LEGO Serious play (impact, communication and engagement)
• 16 June 2027: Workshop 5: Identifying your pathways to impact (engagement, knowledge exchange, dissemination)
• 07 July 2027: Workshop 6: Evidencing your Impact (Monitoring and Evaluation)
• 15 September 2027: Feedback and celebration. Chance to meet previous cohorts to discuss your impact journey 12:00-14:00

We will organise monthly guided study workshops to consolidate your learning. Date and time tbc.

Example of additional bespoke training includes: Patient and Public Involvement, Participatory Research, Rapid Review Methods, Writing for the Conversation, Medical regulation, press and media training, depending on your needs.

At our Launch Event we will set the scene around research impact, knowledge exchange and the fellowship programme. At the celebration event we plan to share outputs, impact and learning from the programme.

Case study of cohorts

See our blog post for a case study of the Impact and Knowledge Exchange Fellows from previous cohorts.