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

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

Background

Our Fellowship Scheme is now in its second year and has been created by the University of Bath with the support from Research England's Research Culture Fund. It is driven by the positive experience of one of the project leads who took part in a similar scheme at UCL as well as the positive experiences and learning from the first cohort of Fellows in 2022 – read our blog to find out more.

Nazia Mehrban, Lecturer (Assistant Professor) of Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology:

This is a unique opportunity for you to build skills around understanding the impact of your research. This bespoke programme will be tailored around your research with training delivered in a fun and engaging way. I have had the opportunity to take part in a similar scheme and have found it hugely beneficial from learning to engage with UK Parliament to writing an article for UK media and designing and delivering a research programme in Colombia! I am excited to be working with RIS to deliver similar training to benefit the researchers of Bath.

The Fellowship brings together external experts with our internal experts to deliver you training and development opportunities in research impact, knowledge exchange, policy engagement, public engagement, communication and dissemination.

Benefits

If you sign up you will be one of only 12 Fellows to receive:

• a six 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
• access to online training course (Impact Integrators)
• 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.

Duration and commitment

The Fellowship will run for 6 months during term time from March 2023 to September 2023, excluding August.

It will require a commitment of approximately 1 to 2 hours per week (on average) for 6 months. This will include a 3.5 hour group training session once a month on a Wednesday afternoon (usually 13.00 – 16.30) plus mentoring, structured activities and bespoke training. We anticipate the group training will be in person if restrictions allow.

You will require support and approval from your line manager.

We request that:

• Fellows will actively engage with the programme, activities and attend the training offered (wherever possible)
• Fellows will be in regular contact with their mentor and/ or coach and will receive bespoke support
• Fellows will participate in an evaluation of the Fellowship scheme

Timetable

The outline core training timetable, subject to change, is as follows:

• 16 January: Applications open at 12pm
• 13 February: Applications close at 12 noon
• 27 February: Notify applicants of outcome
• 8 March: Launch event and introduction to Research Impact – 12pm until 1.30pm
• 15 March (tbc): Workshop 1: Future visioning, team building and communication – 1pm – 4.30pm
• 19 April (tbc) : Workshop 2: LEGO Serious play (impact, communication and engagement)
• 10 May: Focus on stakeholder mapping, networking and evidencing engagement
• 14 June: Knowledge exchange focusing on business engagement and engaging with Policy makers
• 12 July: Working with Press and Media, developing your social media
• 20 September: Public Engagement and celebration event

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

At our Launch Event we will set the scene around research impact, knowledge exchange and the fellowship programme. We hope to hold a celebration event will be held in September after our final workshop to share outputs, impact and learning from the programme. We will confirm the exact timetable asap so keep an eye on this page for updates.

Eligibility

A University of Bath member of staff who undertakes research as part of their role at any stage of their career who would like to enhance their knowledge and skills in research impact, knowledge exchange, engagement and communication are welcome and eligible to apply. The Fellowship will be awarded to 12 Fellows each academic year. Those unsuccessful will be offered a one-to-one meeting with the research impact team to support them with their research impact and to signpost them to existing University resources including access to the Impact Integrators course and our Moodles for Knowledge Exchange and Public Engagement (these are self-enrolment).

How to apply

Please complete the following short application form.

This will ask you to outline:

• Name
  
• Department
  
• A brief description of your area of research interest (up to 100 words)
  
• An self assessment of your current level of knowledge of research impact and skills you would like to develop
  
• An understanding of why you are applying for the Fellowship scheme and how it will benefit you and your research impact (up to 250 words)

Case study of 2022 cohort

See our blog post for a case study of the Impact and Knowledge Exchange Fellows from the 2022 cohort who are currently undertaking their six-month programme.