Research Impact Case Study Writing
A workshop for developing and writing impact statements and case studies..
Workshop Overview
Unlock the power of Research Impact Case Studies with our immersive half-day workshop, tailored to equip researchers and research support professionals with the tools and confidence to craft compelling impact narratives. Whether you’re preparing submissions for frameworks like the REF or RAE, or seeking to articulate the broader influence of your research, this workshop offers a comprehensive and practical approach to planning, writing, and refining impactful case studies.
Through engaging discussions, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, participants will explore the principles of effective impact storytelling, including identifying measurable outcomes, aligning narratives with target audiences, and presenting evidence in ways that resonate with stakeholders. The workshop is designed to cater to any discipline, making it an ideal choice for research teams and individual contributors across academia, government, and industry.
What You’ll Learn
Crafting a Compelling Problem Statement
Master the art of articulating the problem your research addresses. Learn why a well-crafted problem statement is the foundation of a powerful impact case study, setting the stage for demonstrating the need for your research and its potential to create meaningful change.
Getting Impact Out of Your Head and onto the Page
Discover strategies to organise your thoughts and begin capturing impact before writing. Learn where to look for evidence of impact, how to approach key stakeholders for input, and how to document the journey of your research logically and systematically.
Structuring Your Case Study for Maximum Effect
Explore different ways to organise your case study, from chronological narratives to structures focused on users, outputs, or types of impact. Understand the strengths and applications of each approach to tailor your case study to your audience and objectives.
Using Language That Works
Delve into linguistics-based insights to learn what language resonates in impact case studies and statements. Understand what phrases, tones, and structures engage readers and assessors, and identify common pitfalls to avoid in your writing.
Evaluating and Refining Your Case Study
Learn to critically assess your writing by analysing example case studies—both strong and weak. Develop the skills to ensure your case study includes all essential elements: outputs, users, outcomes, impacts, evidence, reach, and significance. By the end of this session, you’ll be able to evaluate your own work and identify gaps to strengthen your narrative.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Understand the critical elements of successful impact case studies and statements.
- Be equipped to identify and articulate the significance and reach of their research.
- Have the skills to present evidence convincingly and align it with impact goals.
- Build confidence in their ability to write high-quality submissions for REF, RAE, or other reporting frameworks.
- Gain actionable insights into tailoring impact narratives for different audiences and purposes.
What makes this workshop unique?
In an increasingly competitive research environment, effectively communicating the value of research has never been more important. A well-crafted impact case study can elevate the visibility and influence of your work, attract funding, meeting reporting obligations (e.g REF & RAE), and foster stronger connections with external stakeholders. This workshop provides the knowledge and tools to ensure your impact narratives and case studies stand out and achieve their intended goals.
Tailored Delivery
Our workshop content can be customised to align with any discipline or organisational need, ensuring a relevant and engaging experience for participants. Let us help you unlock the potential of your research impact case studies!
Who should attend?
This workshop is ideal for:
- Researchers: Individuals or teams preparing impact statements or case studies as part of grant applications, institutional reviews, or national research assessments.
- Research Professionals: Impact officers, research support staff, and administrators assisting with the development of research impact documentation.
- Those New to Impact: Anyone looking to enhance their understanding of how to demonstrate the broader value of their research.
Your workshop facilitators
Dr Tamika Heiden
Tamika has dedicated over a decade of her career to impact pathways through knowledge translation and the identification and assessment of research impact. Tamika is passionate about making a difference and delivering projects that create significant and lasting change for her clients.
Tamika’s more than a decade of career experience as a researcher and research manager in the fields of health, sport and medical research, along with her formal qualifications in knowledge translation and impact make her one of the few specialists that doesn’t just talk the talk. Tamika enjoys helping her clients to form partnerships, develop impact plans, and be rewarded for their efforts.
More recently, Tamika founded and hosted the annual online Research Impact Summit. Tamika’s passion for impact, along with the summit success, has led to her becoming known as the “Australian powerhouse of Research Impact”, and resulted in her winning the 2018 Knowledge Mobilization Forum award for Innovation. With a 4000 strong audience representing 47 countries, Tamika has interviewed more than fifty experts in the fields of stakeholder engagement, translation and implementation, and research impact.
Cathie Withyman
Cathie Withyman is a research impact communication specialist. She has worked with leading universities and government departments both domestically and internationally to develop and craft engaging and insightful impact narratives.
Cathie possesses over 15 years experience partnering with researchers, program managers and communication professionals to facilitate training and skills development in the effective communication of research and program impacts. She is a master at drawing out the true nature of impacts and weaving this into a compelling narrative.
A key achievement of Cathie’s to date has been the compilation of a leading Australian University’s submission to the Australian Research Council’s 2018 Impact and Engagement Assessment. Cathie managed the development and authoring of 12 Impact Case Studies and 10 Research Engagement Narratives over an intense six-month period.
She is skilled at coaching and mentoring research academics to plan, record and report on research impact. She has developed training programs and resource materials to support academics in this increasingly important area of their work.
Feedback from our attendees!
Extremely relevant
Extremely relevant, up-to-date, and valuable workshop. The presenters are absolute professionals who clearly keep the program up to date and relevant. I have written many grant applications and learned how to really make them stand out in the top 5% with the workshop.
The workshop was useful
The workshop was useful to me because it raised several questions that every researcher should ask themselves when preparing an article — or, more generally, during their research activities. It serves as a reminder of why we do what we do and for what purpose. So for me it was a helpful reminder!
Informative and beneficial
This workshop was very informative and beneficial. The facilitators were knowledgeable and passionate.