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Welcome to the Research Impact Resources for Technological University Dublin. This page supports our academic community to understand, achieve, and evidence the impact of their research. You will find practical tools and guidance spanning the full pathway from early planning and stakeholder engagement through to evaluation and communication of outcomes. Our aim is to help you maximise the academic, societal, environmental, cultural, and economic value of TU Dublin research.
TU Dublin Research Impact Framework
Unlock the full potential of your projects with our Research Impact Framework. Use it to plan for impact in grant applications, track progress during delivery, and communicate results at key moments. Access the PDF by clicking here, or watch the short video introduction below. An audio narration of the framework is also available here.
Citation
Technological University Dublin. (2025). Technological University Dublin Research Impact Framework (Version 1.0.2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14235274
Quick Guides, Templates, & Policy Tools
Figure 1. 10 Steps to Achieving Research Impact. Download the infographic (PNG).
1. RESEARCH IDEA AND CONTEXT
Identify a clear research question or problem aligned with societal, economic, or environmental needs. Set the research within broader contexts like global challenges (e.g., UNSDGs), existing literature, and societal gaps.
2. STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Identify key stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, industry, community, funders) who will benefit from or be impacted by the research. Involve stakeholders early in the research process to ensure that their needs and priorities are reflected in the research objectives. The project idea may even begin with the stakeholder. Review our Research Engagement Framework and associated resources, or consider joining the TU Dublin Engaged Research Network who can support you in your endeavors.
3. SETTING IMPACT OBJECTIVES
Establish specific, measurable, and achievable impact goals that align with both the research focus and societal needs. Use methodologies like the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure clarity and focus.
4. PATHWAYS TO IMPACT
Develop a clear strategy that maps out how the research outputs will lead to the desired impact. This may include pathways like knowledge dissemination, policy advocacy, public engagement, or partnerships with industry.
5. RESEARCH DESIGN AND ACTIVITIES
Conduct the core research activities (e.g., experiments, data collection, analysis) needed to generate new knowledge and outputs.
6. RESEARCH OUTPUTS
Deliver tangible results from the research and share these outputs with relevant audiences through appropriate channels (e.g., academic journals, conferences, public talks etc…).
7. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION AND COMMUNICATION
Translate research outputs into formats that are accessible and useful to non-academic stakeholders. Use multiple communication channels, including policy briefs, media releases, webinars, and social media, to reach a broad audience.
8. INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES
Achieve early measurable results from the research, such as changes in behaviour, policy updates, or technological innovation. These outcomes often depend on how well the research is received and used by stakeholders.
9. EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF IMPACT
Systematically track and evaluate the progress toward the set impact objectives, using both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Regularly monitor the influence of the research and report these to stakeholders.
10. LONG-TERM IMPACT
The ultimate, sustained change resulting from the research. This impact should feed back into new research questions, forming a cyclical process of continuous improvement and innovation.
Understanding research impact
Public funders increasingly require clear evidence of value for money for taxpayers. Universities are therefore asked to demonstrate the benefits of funded research for people, policy, the economy, culture, and the environment.
TU Dublin defines research impact as:
…the contribution that research makes to society, the environment, the economy, industry, culture, public policy and services, health and quality of life, and collaborations to achieve these.
- Small scale – Local and specific improvements, for example new lab techniques, internal software, or enhancements to teaching practice.
- Medium scale – Regional or sectoral benefits, for example community health programmes, digital infrastructure pilots, or regional skills initiatives.
- Large scale – National or international effects, for example contributions to global health guidance, policy reform, or standards adopted across multiple countries.
Taken together, these levels show how impact can progress from local change to wider adoption when activities are planned, evidenced, and communicated.
Impact planning for grants
Impact is easier to achieve and evidence when it is planned early, monitored during delivery, and communicated at the right moments. Every project should set out an Impact Pathway Plan. A practical way to do this is to use the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s basic logic model.
- Inputs – Time, funding, expertise, infrastructure, data, partners.
- Activities – Research, engagement, training, co-design workshops, prototypes, pilots.
- Outputs – Tangible products and services, for example publications, datasets, software, training materials, workshops delivered.
- Outcomes – Changes in knowledge, skills, behaviours, or practice in the near to medium term.
- Impact – Longer-term change in systems or conditions, for example policy adoption, organisational practice, health or environmental improvements.
Your intended results (outputs, outcomes, impact) can be influenced by the team to varying degrees.
When drafting your pathway, also note the assumptions that must hold, the risks to manage, your stakeholders and their roles, and the indicators and data sources you will use to track progress. Use this TEMPLATE Planning for Impact and check out the examples in the links further down on this page.
Pathways to impact
Pathways show how your research activities lead to outputs, outcomes, and ultimately impact. They are seldom perfectly linear: feedback loops, stakeholder engagement, and enabling conditions often mediate progress.
- Plan early – identify assumptions, risks, stakeholders, and indicators.
- Engage purposefully – match audiences and channels to the change you seek.
- Capture evidence – record outcomes as they emerge; do not wait for project end.
Example timelines for achieving societal impact
Different kinds of impact mature over different timeframes. The chart below offers indicative horizons; your context, partnerships, and scale of adoption will influence pace
- Short-term (0–2 years) – Initial discoveries, preliminary findings, open datasets, early training materials, new partnerships.
- Medium-term (2–5 years) – Pilots and prototypes adopted in practice, skills uplift in partner organisations, guidance cited, policy drafts influenced.
- Long-term (5–10+ years) – Sustained improvements to health, environment, or productivity; policy or standards implemented at scale; durable behaviour change.
Tip: align outputs to the next step on the pathway (for example prototype → pilot → scaled service) and specify evidence you will collect at each step.
Scale and reach of research impact
Impact can occur at multiple levels simultaneously. Clarifying intended scale and reach helps you choose appropriate partners, channels, and indicators.
- Individual – Skills or wellbeing gains; evidence may include pre/post measures or testimonials.
- Group or team – Practice changes within a cohort or organisation; track adoption and process improvements.
- Community – Local benefits for defined groups; use community metrics and consented stories.
- Local or regional – Municipal or regional policy and services; cite implementation data and service KPIs.
- National – Strategies, guidance, or curricula; reference official publications and monitoring data.
- International – Cross-border collaboration or standards; include endorsements and cross-jurisdictional uptake.
- Global – Contributions to global norms or targets; align with recognised indicator sets (for example SDGs).
Communicating research for societal impact
Many research outputs are underused or unseen outside academia as widely discussed in the literature. Clear, audience-centred communication, supported by credible evidence, increases the likelihood of uptake and real-world benefit. The resources below help you present your work for different decision-makers and contexts.
Writing impact case studies
Impact case studies show how research contributes to change in policy, practice, industry, culture, health, or the environment. They trace the pathway from activities and outputs to outcomes and impact, with evidence at each step.
- Purpose: document credible change and your contribution to it.
- Audience: funders, partners, policy actors, industry, public stakeholders.
- Length: typically 600–1,000 words plus visuals and links.
- Structure: context and need; research and partnerships; activities and outputs; outcomes and evidence; who benefited; significance and reach; next steps.
- Evidence: quantitative indicators, independent testimonials, adoption data, policy citations, usage analytics, media coverage.
- Attribution: explain your contribution alongside collaborators; avoid over-claiming.
- Accessibility: plain English, clear headings, descriptive alt text, readable tables, accessible PDFs.
Download the TEMPLATE Research Impact Case Study
News and social media
News items and social posts help the right audiences discover and understand your work. Keep messages focused on the value to others, and link to authoritative sources.
- R&I news: submit stories via the TU Dublin R&I news form and email supporting information to researchandinnovation@tudublin.ie. Published items appear on the Research and Innovation news site.
- What to include: the problem addressed; who benefits; what changes; where to find more detail (for example DOI, dataset, preprint, video).
- Social tips: use plain English; include a single clear call to action; add an accessible image with alt text; tag relevant partners and TU Dublin accounts; link to a persistent source.
- Measure: track referral clicks, downloads, and sign-ups; capture any enquiries or partnership leads generated.
Using visuals and infographics
Visuals can make complex results easier to understand, provided they remain accurate and accessible.
- Design: one message per graphic; clear hierarchy; meaningful titles; label units and sources; avoid decorative clutter.
- Accessibility: strong colour contrast; do not rely on colour alone; provide alt text and a short data note; offer a text-only summary where appropriate.
- Formats: export a web-optimised PNG for pages and a high-resolution PDF or SVG for print or reuse.
- Tools: create quick visuals with Adobe Express. Example mock-up: download sample infographic.
1. Research Impact Questions by Funder
A quick-reference guide listing the specific impact questions and evaluation criteria from eight major European and Irish funders, including Horizon Europe, ERC, MSCA, Taighde Éireann, HEA, Wellcome, and Enterprise Ireland. Useful when you need to check what a particular funder is actually asking before you start writing.
2. Planning for Impact - Worked Examples*
Five completed logic models, one per faculty, reverse-engineered from the hypothetical case studies below. Each shows how the TU Dublin Planning for Impact template (adapted from the Kellogg Foundation Logic Model) could be filled in at the start of a project, linking inputs through to long-term impact. Includes information on assumptions, risks, key stakeholders and indicators of impact.
3. Hypothetical Impact Responses Worked Examples*
Worked examples showing how the same research project would be framed differently for eight different funders, from Horizon Europe to Enterprise Ireland. Each response respects typical word limits and includes alignment with specific UN Sustainable Development Goal targets and indicators. Based on an illustrative antimicrobial resistance scenario.
3. Writing Research Impact Summaries - What Works and What Doesn't*
Five paired examples of good and poor impact writing, one per faculty. Each pair covers the same hypothetical research but demonstrates the difference between vague, jargon-heavy summaries and clear, evidence-based ones. Includes a quick checklist for writing your own impact summary.
4. Planning for Impact - Worked Examples*
Five completed logic models, one per faculty, reverse-engineered from the hypothetical case studies above. Each shows how the TU Dublin Planning for Impact template (adapted from the Kellogg Foundation Logic Model) would be filled in at the start of a project, linking inputs through to long-term impact. Includes teaching notes for workshop use.
5. Hypothetical Examples of Research Impact Case Studies*
Twenty-six fictional case studies, one for each of TU Dublin's schools across all five faculties. Each follows the official TU Dublin Research Impact Case Study template and includes illustrative testimonials, policy citations, and evidence sources. Designed to help researchers in any discipline see what a completed case study looks like in their own field.
Five progressive levels of research impact
This summary table gives you a quick way to locate your current level and identify the evidence to collect.
1. Writing Policy Briefs and Position Papers
Policy briefs and position papers are the two main tools researchers use to communicate evidence directly to decision-makers. They differ in purpose and should not be used interchangeably.
| Policy Brief | Position Paper |
|---|---|
| A concise, evidence-based document that presents a specific issue, analyses the available data, and offers clear recommendations for policymakers or stakeholders to act upon. You propose a solution. You shape the agenda. | A document that sets out an organisation’s or researcher’s stance on a policy issue, supporting it with evidence, arguments, and counterarguments to persuade or inform a target audience. You state your position. You advocate for a viewpoint. |
Policy Brief: Structure and Style
The EU has published several guides on writing evidence-based briefs for policymakers, including: Sharing evidence with policymakers Guide on writing policy briefs for impact and Sharing scientific evidence with policymakers A starter kit for EU funded research & innovation (R&I) projects. While these are useful supplements, the Irish legislative context has specific characteristics covered in the Quick Guide to the Parliamentary Legislative Cycle.
| Length | One page maximum. A two-page version may be appropriate for a legislative submission, but default to one page for general use. |
| Structure | Title; named audience and purpose; three to five key messages; summary of evidence; options and recommendations; implementation considerations; references and contact details. |
| Style | Neutral, non-technical language. Short paragraphs. Informative headings. Any charts must carry clear labels and stated sources. Avoid advocacy language; Parliamentary Research Services deprioritises submissions that read as campaigning. |
| Quality control | Internal factual check; stakeholder sensitivity review; version control and approval noted on the document. |
| Timing | Align submission with the relevant consultation, committee cycle, or budget window. Pre-Legislative Scrutiny provides the strongest opportunity to influence change and runs for a maximum of eight weeks. See the QUICK GUIDE Parliamentary Legislative Cycle and the full schedule of engagement windows. |
Position Paper: Structure and Style
| Length | Two to four pages is typical. The argument must be coherent and self-contained. |
| Structure | Statement of the problem; your organisation’s position; background and context; supporting evidence; acknowledgement of counterarguments; conclusion and call to action. |
| Style | More discursive than a policy brief. Evidence-supported but may take a clear stance. Identify your organisation’s relationship to the issue. Avoid language that reads as partisan or ideological. |
Which format should I use?
Use this table to select the most appropriate format for your situation.
| Format | When to use it | Key features | Stage of most value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Brief | When your research can propose or shape a solution to a current problem | Evidence-based; recommendations-focused; 1 page max; neutral tone | Pre-Legislative Scrutiny; open consultations |
| Position Paper | When you need to state your organisation's or research group's stance on a policy issue | Arguments and counterarguments; evidence-supported; may advocate a viewpoint | Stakeholder engagement; consultation responses; sector-wide debates |
| Consultation Response | When a Government Department or agency issues a specific call for input | Structured to answer the questions set; do not use for broad narratives | Formal public consultations opened by Departments |
| Legislative Submission | When an Oireachtas Committee invites written evidence on a specific Bill | Strict structure; tied directly to the Bill's provisions; formal register | Committee Stage; Pre-Legislative Scrutiny |
Quality and discoverability
- Parliamentary Research Services prioritise systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and openly accessible sources. A technically strong study trapped behind a paywall will receive less attention than a weaker one that is open access.
- Keep your ORCID, PURE profile, and institutional repository (ARROW) entries current. PRS uses these to identify experts and verify credentials.
- Avoid activist or partisan language in public profiles. PRS specifically deprioritises researchers whose public presence suggests advocacy bias.
- It is advisable to contact the Research Engagement & Impact Office before submitting to a committee for the first time. Early coordination avoids duplication and strengthens TU Dublin's overall evidence footprint.
2. Influencing Policy: When and How to Engage
Submitting a well-evidenced brief is necessary but not sufficient. You also need to understand when to engage, who reads what you write, and how your research becomes visible to the people who can act on it.
When to engage
The single most important principle is timing. Engaging too late (once a Bill is formally published) rarely produces meaningful change. The table below maps the key trigger points and the most appropriate response at each.
| Trigger | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| A relevant Bill enters Pre-Legislative Scrutiny | Submit a policy brief or short evidence summary to the relevant committee clerk within 8 weeks |
| A Committee announces a call for submissions | Submit a legislative submission following the committee's specified format |
| PRS publishes a for-and-against briefing on your area | Contact the R&I office; prepare a short position paper or response for open-access deposit |
| A Minister or Department opens a public consultation | Prepare a consultation response, structured around the questions set |
| A crisis or major news event raises the salience of your research area | Publish a short LinkedIn piece or public summary; contact PRS via your institution if relevant |
How Parliamentary Research Services (PRS) uses your evidence
The Irish s (PRS) delivers impartial research briefings to support the work of the Houses of the Oireachtas, committees, and individual Members. The PRS does not conduct original research. It synthesises existing evidence and prepares rapid briefings for Oireachtas Committees. Understanding how PRS operates changes what you prioritise when writing for policy.
| Prioritised by PRS | Deprioritised by PRS |
|---|---|
| Systematic reviews and meta-analyses | Single, small, or underpowered studies |
| Large, well-designed studies | Advocacy-based or ideologically framed evidence |
| Open-access full-text versions | Paywalled publications |
| Clearly referenced documents | Weakly or inconsistently referenced submissions |
| Balanced, uncertainty-acknowledging evidence | Speculative or overconfident claims |
| Accessible, jargon-free language | Unduly technical or discipline-specific submissions |
PRS outputs remain confidential for ten days before publication. Researchers who contact PRS directly with advocacy-framed arguments are unlikely to be invited to contribute further.
Making your work findable
- Deposit all outputs in ARROW and link them to your ORCID. PRS and committee researchers search repositories; they are not always aware of institutional profiles such as PURE.
- Write a plain English lay summary for every publication and attach it to the repository entry.
- Post concise, neutral updates on LinkedIn when legislation relevant to your research area is announced. PRS monitors public profiles when assessing potential expert witnesses.
- Tag TU Dublin Research accounts and any relevant policy bodies when sharing research updates.
R&I news and communications
Communicating your research through institutional channels is a separate but complementary activity to direct policy engagement.
- Submit stories via the TU Dublin R&I news form and email supporting materials to researchandinnovation@tudublin.ie. Published items appear on the Research and Innovation news site.
- Each story should cover: the problem your research addresses; who benefits and how; what has changed as a result; and where to find more detail, such as a DOI, dataset, or open-access preprint.
- Social media tips: plain English; a single clear call to action; an accessible image with alt text; links to a persistent source rather than a publisher paywall.
- Track referral clicks, downloads, and any resulting enquiries or partnership leads. These form the early evidence trail for an impact case study.
Ethical principles when writing for policy
- Be transparent about the limitations of your evidence. Do not overstate certainty.
- Avoid framing advocacy as evidence. If you have a stake in a particular outcome, declare it.
- Cite all sources and provide open-access versions where possible.
- Disclose any conflicts of interest in the document itself.
- Avoid political bias in language. Committees seek evidence, not campaigning.
- Contact the Research Engagement & Impact Office: engagementandimpact@tudublin.ie
- Contact the Research Impact Lead: gordon.cooke@tudublin.ie
- Book a one-to-one session
- Drop in to the weekly online research impact clinic: Every Friday 2-3pm, from January 2nd 2026