ARC NWC Programme Delivery Manager Dr.Jane Cloke has written a blog which  outlines a strategic plan for ARC NWC to maximise research impact by fostering collaborations, engaging stakeholders, and employing tools to measure and demonstrate the tangible difference in health and social care outcomes within the region.

What are we doing to ensure that the work we do together in ARC NWC makes a difference, and that people, communities and organisations in our region benefit from the work we do together? 

Our research partners and members of the public deserve to see the tangible difference our work makes. We all deserve to witness that our public funds are effectively utilised and we contribute to enhancing health and social care in the region. Here’s an overview of our strategic plan to amplify the impact of our work. 

Before we start, let’s all land on the same page with what we mean when we talk about research impact; examples of this include changes in what we know about something, how that then changes how we do things, our practice, and perhaps how that then changes local or even national policies. To show that we have had an impact, we need to know who we have influenced, not just other researchers, our peers, but groups such as policy makers, practitioners, the public, communities, whether that’s residents in a particular area or a group with a particular interest or practice. The converse is true, so if we want our research to be influential and have impact, then we need to know who we should be working with and following up with. It’s also crucial to consider the variety of possible impacts. For instance, the publication of a paper could heighten awareness of inequalities in rehabilitation outcomes for stroke survivors. Providing HIAT workshops can enhance skills for integrating equity into research projects. By bringing together researchers, public representatives, and practitioners to work on a project, we can build enduring collaborations and connectivity.  

Over the last year we have been developing our plan to maximise the impact of ARC NWC, including tools, resources and how we will show the difference our programme has made. All of us has a role to play in maximising our impact. Our vision is that we share a clear understanding of our pathways to impact. Furthermore, each one of us should have the necessary tools to support their respective work, be it a project, a theme, or one of our strategic areas such as PPIE, HEMS, or capacity building. 

We have worked with Matter of Focus to help us map out our pathways to impact. We undertake this process by asking ourselves the following questions: ‘What do we do?’, ‘Who do we engage with?’, ‘How do they perceive our work?’, ‘What do they derive from this?’ and ‘What changes in their practice?’. Ultimately, what is the difference we hope to achieve? I think we’ll know we’ve made a difference when we see that there is more funding going into research that acts on health inequities, where there is currently a dearth of research; that Academia – practitioner – public partnerships are sustained and funded; and that health and social care providers embed a health equity lens 

Our impact will be realised when we foster robust alliances with our member organisations, communities, and individuals; when we make sure to produce and promote high-quality, relevant work across all our themes. Our member organisations commit time and resources to make financial/in-kind contributions to the programme and their staff show interest and capacity in engaging in our programme activities. Our stakeholders disseminate research, evidence, and tools with their own networks, and these are publicised and shared. Policy-makers and other stakeholders are guided by research, evidence and recommendations from the Programme. Our research partners acquire practical experience and skills by engaging in public and communities. This experience aids in embedding systems that facilitate public involvement in research design and implementation. 

As a team, we have agreed upon the steps for implementing the action plan, including short-term and medium-term goals. We will plan for impact at the start of each new project or initiative. We will identify who or what we expect to change; why or how will these changes happen? And what can we learn, what do we need to modify so that we generate impact. We’ll continue collaborating with Matter of Focus to nurture our impact and plan further knowledge mobilisation activities. Evidencing our story of change and the difference the Programme is making – and has made – entails bringing together data, information and stories from the different levels of the Programme – across projects, Themes and strategic areas – and aggregate those layers of knowledge and analysis, over time, so we can gain a deeper understanding of our impact. We’ll audit the routine monitoring data we collect to best leverage the data we already gather. We’ll conduct evaluations to gather additional data that substantiates our impact. Some of you might already have been participants in some of those surveys, interviews and focus groups. We’ll establish a ‘bank’ of case studies that are easily shared and regularly updated. This bank will demonstrate examples of the work we have done together; so you can show your colleagues, your line manager that changes can be evidence-based and also the benefits of working with ARC NWC. 

By contributing your time and expertise, you can ensure that our programme aligns with your needs. By sharing our research, evidence, and tools with your network, we can broaden our influence and impact. Your participation in our evaluations or monitoring activities can help us learn more about what generates impact. 

In the coming months we will be bringing you some examples of the activities taking place to help us track our contribution to change – health equity and inequalities; public involvement in research; improving quality of health and social care services for everyone, not just the ‘worried well’.