The Research Impact Framework
The Research Impact Framework and its accompanying briefing note provide guidance on strengthening the impact of humanitarian research on policy and practice.
While humanitarian research and the evidence base has grown over the past decade, responding to demand, the impact of that research on humanitarian policy and practice has not kept pace. There are multiple barriers for humanitarian researchers and their partners in translating evidence into use. Practical guidance to produce research with greater impact is sought after by researchers and their partners.
Drawing on our Research for Health in Humanitarian Crisis (R2HC) programme’s experience of over ten years, desk analysis of a collection of impact case studies we funded and a review of available literature, the Research Impact Framework was developed. This outlines five strategies and nine enablers that are characteristics of high-impact studies in humanitarian health.
The Framework is designed to help meet the need for practical guidance and strengthen the impact of humanitarian health research on policy and practice. Developed by the R2HC, the Framework outlines success strategies that researchers can use to deliver research impact, and enablers which can facilitate evidence-to-practice impact pathways.
The nine enablers of impact fall under three core categories:
- Existing Connections
- Context
- Research Consortium Attributes
While the five strategies for impact offer the following recommendations:
- Focus on impact
- Look outward
- Respond to needs
- Walk the ‘last mile’
- Socialise ideas
We hope the proposed Framework will provide a useful prompt for humanitarian health researchers, their partners, and funders, in designing and implementing impactful research. The enablers may be more relevant for those leading proposal development or reviewing proposals from an impact perspective, while the strategies may be useful for those delivering and implementing research.
Picture credit: Derrick Kyatuka/World Vision International
[.slimline-cta-box][.slimline-cta_heading]Explore the Research Impact Framework[.slimline-cta_heading][.slimline-cta_paragraph]To find out more about using and applying the Research Impact Framework to your own projects, download the framework and the accompanying briefing note.
To see the enablers and strategies in action, explore our library of Impact Case Studies.[.slimline-cta_paragraph][.slimline-cta-box]