Following on from a successful first week in which over 250 individuals engaged with interactive workshops, panel discussions, one-to-one surgeries and keynotes, Making an Impact 2020 now enters its second week of development activities for researchers, academics and research-related professional services staff at all stages of their career.
The rich and varied programme continues with a Keynote session from Melanie Knetsch, ESRC Deputy Director of Impact and Innovation on Thursday 11th June (09:30-10:30am) which will focus on the ESRC experience of understanding and enabling impact, and lessons learned over the last ten years in the social sciences, including reflections on lessons that have been learnt over the past 10 years. Register here.
On Monday 15th June (10:00-11:30am) a joint-keynote between Dr Hamish McAlpine (Head of KE data and evidence at Research England) and Prof Trevor McMillan (VC of Keele University) will give a brief overview of the current iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and how it relates to the forthcoming Knowledge Exchange Concordat. Register here
In addition to the keynotes, there are still more diverse sessions to register for, details of which can be found here. A searchable version of the programme is also available here. Links to registration are available on both documents, and a web-based version of the programme is available here.
Notable other upcoming sessions by outcome
Capture and share information and evidence relating to research impact
Thursday 11th June 13:30-14:30 Safeguarding in Research.
This workshop is aimed at researchers and will help you to consider safeguarding issues at all stages of the research life-cycle – from the research design to conducting, monitoring, evaluating and disseminating your research.
For those looking to use their research experience outside academia
This year’s Making an Impact programme also sees the launch of Prosper, the University of Liverpool’s new career development model aimed at preparing postdocs for multiple career paths. The Prosper team will be running 2 sessions;
Friday 12th June 09.30-10:30 More than a job – Former postdocs share their experience beyond academia
This session will showcase the diverse career pathways open to postdocs, with videos of former postdocs discussing their career journeys beyond academia, and the ups and downs along the way as well as a simultaneous live tweeting session in which former postdocs will answer your questions.
Friday 19th June 14:00-15:00 Prosper portal
Join the Prosper team to get a first look at the portal and its resources including a suite of reflective tools, case-studies, advice on CV writing, interview technique and more, enabling you to explore new careers with confidence.
Develop the reach of your research activity, interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration
Tuesday 16th June 13:00-13:40 Using Altmetric to track the reach and potential impact of your work
Altmetric is a brilliant resource that can track where your research is being discussed on the social web. This can help you to discover the reach and potential impact your research is having outside of academia including in policy documents, patents, Wikipedia, news, and social media.
For those looking to boost their academic research impact and knowledge exchange potential
Wednesday 17 June 13:00-15:00 Inside the mind of an enterprising researcher.
This session will provide some simple tools and techniques to help you access an optimal brain state that will help you stay focused, is more conducive with innovating and help you get things done.
Competition winners
There are weekly prizes for those who tweet thoughts, general images and Gifs representing their engagement with any of the events during the programme using our official Making an Impact 2020 hashtag: #unilivimpact20
The winner of the first week is Mary Jane Monaghan, a Research Assistant at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics who will receive an Independent Liverpool card, valid for 12 months, where they can enjoy discounts at over 100 of Liverpool’s best independents to eat, drink and shop. A great way to support local businesses too (once we are able and it is safe to do so).
Weekly winners continue to be selected, as part of the Making an Impact 2020 Twitter competition. So why not get involved? Remember to use the hashtag #unilivimpact20 follow @LivResearcher and tag @LivResearcher in your tweet.
Gifs have also been designed to recognise and value individuals who engage with #unilivimpact20 and to those individuals that fully engage with a number of different sessions. The Academy are delighted to already have awarded 18 bronze, 10 silver and 5 gold awards so far.
Further information about entering and competition rules are available here.
Ongoing resources
Please don’t forget to check out the resources page which has been updated throughout Making an Impact 2020 and will be available as a permanent resource after the programme ends. Participants are also invited to listen to our Making an Impact podcast specials as part of the Academy’s Developing Practice podcast series.
Ways to find out more
Please visit the Making an Impact webpages where you will find more details on the sessions as well as online resources (including the podcasts), links to our the Making an Impact Microsoft Team social space, twitter competition and much more.
Staff can @LivResearcher and the hashtag #unilivimpact20 on Twitter for daily updates on Making an Impact sessions as well as @LivUniAcademy for updates and further information about researcher development opportunities.