Our approach to impact

All research could be said to have the potential to bring benefits beyond academia. Funding bodies and government have placed increasing importance on the contribution research makes beyond academia through the focus on ‘impact’.

Why is the focus on impact good for the University of Salford?

Impact plays to our strengths. The University has a long standing and celebrated tradition as an “enterprising university which transforms individuals and communities through excellent teaching, research, innovation and engagement.” (Professor Martin Hall)

Many of our academic colleagues have backgrounds in industry and public service, giving us a significant understanding of the needs of partners and communities. We pride ourselves on developing research which addresses the needs of partners and communities and are committed to celebrating the impact of our research beyond academia.

Articulating our impact can help us:

• Present our work to an increasing range of partners and communities
• Better understand our strengths and the range and scope of our impact
• Develop new partnerships
• Bid for additional funds
• Support course development
• Contribute to the increasing focus on impact in the higher education, commercial, voluntary and public sectors

With a record of generating research which embraces co-creation and sets the University within the tradition of creative entrepreneurship characteristic of the North West region, the University of Salford is well placed to articulate and celebrate its impacts.

Exemplifying our distinctive cultural heritage we have developed ‘Salford Impact’ focused on our track record of connected, co-created, transformational research with the aim of evidencing, developing and celebrating impact.

Salford Impact

Salford Impact celebrates the critical role of partners, communities and people in how research is developed to bring benefits to organisations and society. We consider research funders, partners, researchers, people and communities as equal in and central to those benefits. Salford Impact is focused on understanding the impacts of the broader connectivity of co-production, which the University facilitates through its distinctive presence.

We will update these pages as Salford Impact develops. To comment or to find out more, please contact us and join us on Twitter.