The Impact Catalyst Program

The Research Impact Catalyst Program!

Are you a research administrator, impact officer, or part of a communications or engagement team? The Impact Catalyst Program by the Research Impact Academy is crafted especially for you. If you deliver support one-on-one or lead institution-wide initiatives, this comprehensive professional development initiative is designed to expand your leadership skillset and support you to build the capacity of others.

This exclusive, year-long program supports a unique learning journey, equipping you with the frameworks, tools and confidence needed to embed research impact across teams and disciplines. Led by impact experts Dr. Tamika Heiden and Cathie Withyman, the Impact Catalyst Program offers a dynamic environment that blends knowledge sharing with real-world application. Through interactive activities, peer discussion, and practical tools, you’ll gain insight into strategies you can use – and teach others to use – to amplify the impact of your organisation’s research.

This program is key to deeper influence and professional growth as an impact practitioner. You’ll discover how to guide researchers in developing stronger impact narratives, learn how to design and lead effective internal training on stakeholder engagement, and explore systems that support impact planning and reporting across your organisation.

Join a network of committed professionals working to embed a culture of impact within their organisations.

Highlights from our past Impact Catalyst Programs

This comprehensive program includes:

2-day Training

Kick off the program with an in-person, 2-day hands-on workshop designed to enhance your knowledge, encourage peer connection, and spark new ways of thinking about impact support and leadership.

Eight online training sessions

Take part in 8 tailored online sessions (2 hours each) that explore all dimensions of research impact, from co-design and communication to planning, tracking, and reporting, so you can support and train others with greater confidence.

Online community

Access a dedicated peer learning space where you can ask questions, share tools, and engage in reflective practice with a supportive cohort of impact professionals.

Certificate

All participants who complete the program will receive a certificate recognising their professional development in research impact leadership and training.

Why Join the Impact Catalyst Program?

Enhance Your Skills: Leverage your existing knowledge and experience with new, innovative training techniques designed to boost your confidence and effectiveness as a trainer. This program isn’t about filling gaps –it’s about elevating what you already excel at to new heights.

Empowerment and Growth: See yourself as a leader and influencer within your community. This program offers the tools and support to help you contribute significantly to the success of your colleagues and extend your professional influence.

Respect for Your Expertise: We understand that you bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Our exclusive train-the-trainer program is structured to complement and build upon your skills, providing a collaborative environment where your insights help shape the training experience.

A Collaborative Journey: Your voice matters. From the outset, we invite you to contribute to the planning and design of the program, ensuring that every aspect is relevant, engaging, and tailored to meet the collective goals of all participants.

Positive and Supportive Environment: Engage in a program that speaks the language of motivation and inspiration.
We’re here to uplift and support you through every step of the way, offering resources, guidance, and a community that’s cheering you on in your impact practitioner journey.

Ongoing Support: Beyond the structured sessions, our commitment to you continues. With access to a wealth of resources and a supportive network, you’ll have everything you need to thrive as a trainer and professional. Plus, you’ll be supported by an impact practitioner qualification that sets you apart.

What you will gain

You’ll be part of an elite group of no more than 25 attendees, ensuring personalised attention and a focused learning environment. This fee covers all elements of the program, including in-person training, extensive training materials, online sessions, and continuous access to an online community.

Gain expert insight into supporting research impact, including understanding terminology, outputs, and activities, so you can confidently teach and guide others in your organisation.
Develop skills to coach researchers in creating impactful research plans, writing stronger grant applications, and preparing compelling impact case studies.
Learn strategies to train and enable others to build effective collaborations and stakeholder engagement, fostering stronger partnerships and networks.
Build expertise to teach others how to track, evaluate, and communicate research impact, ensuring sustainable impact practices across your organisation.

Feedback from participants in our previous programs consistently highlights the engaging delivery and practical applications of our workshops. The Impact Catalyst Program builds on this legacy, offering an enriching and dynamic learning experience. It represents not just an investment in your professional growth but also a significant opportunity to elevate the research impact within your institution.

6 Modules – Two day in-person workshop

1. A Shared Understanding of Research Impact

This module is designed to foster a shared understanding of the intricacies of research impact among workshop participants. You’ll explore various dimensions of impact, from academic advancements to societal benefits, and discuss the evolving landscape of research where impact is increasingly a measure of success. You will learn strategies to effectively communicate the importance of research impact and empower others to navigate its complexities.
Engaging case studies will provide concrete examples of successful impact, providing opportunities for discussion and setting the stage for deeper exploration in subsequent modules.

Definition and dimensions of research impact.

Importance of impact in the modern research landscape.

Overview of terminology, models, frameworks.

2. Enhanced Planning for Translation and Research Impact

This module will enable you to provide invaluable support in the foundational stages of research planning. We will focus on proactive approaches to designing research with impact, such as goal setting and mapping impact pathways, with the aim of supporting you in your pivotal role in shaping research strategies to maximise impact. You’ll learn about frameworks and tools that aid in planning, executing, and tracking the translation of research into real-world benefits. You’ll focus on learning how to teach others to engage stakeholders effectively, set clear and measurable objectives, and communicate research outcomes in novel ways.

Frameworks for planning research with impact in mind.

Identifying and engaging with stakeholders early.

Tools for setting and measuring impact objectives.

Strategies for effective communication and dissemination.

3. Helping Researchers/Students Track and Evaluate their Research Impact

This module will immerse you in the practical aspects of mapping, monitoring and evaluating research impact over time. It offers an examination of both prospective and retrospective approaches and explores the diverse array of tools and techniques essential for tracking, assessing, and effectively communicating impact. Real-life case studies will serve as invaluable examples of successful impact tracking and evaluation strategies. By engaging with these case studies, you will learn how to support researchers and students on their own impact journeys.

Prospective vs. retrospective impact tracking.

Tools and methods for monitoring impact.

Evaluating and reporting and communicating impact effectively.

Examples of impact mapping.

4. Supporting Impact in Grant Writing – Demystifying Grant Guidelines

This module demystifies the process of integrating impact into grant writing, focusing on what funders are looking for and how to effectively communicate potential impact. By dissecting grant guidelines, you will gain clarity on funder expectations, enabling you to help others navigate the application process with confidence. Moreover, you will learn how to articulate the significance of potential impact to researchers and assist them in crafting compelling and coherent narratives around impact within their grant proposals. These invaluable skills increase the likelihood of funding success, ultimately teaching you how to support others in the art of impactful grant writing.

Understanding funders’ perspectives on impact.

Key components of an impactful grant proposal.

Navigating and interpreting grant guidelines.

5. Elevating Research Impact Communication

Mastering the art of crafting compelling impact narratives is crucial for influential reports, publications, and case studies. This module will equip you with the skills to train others in effectively conveying the impact of their work. It focuses on the nuances of impact communication, ensuring that researchers’ contributions are recognised and understood by a wide audience. You will learn about the tools needed to support and mentor researchers in expressing their contributions with clarity and precision. Upon completing this module, you will be able to share diverse and effective communication strategies, ensuring that the broad spectrum of research impact is conveyed and valued across different platforms and by varied audiences.

Principles of effective impact writing.

Tailoring impact narratives for different audiences.

Structuring and presenting impact case studies.

Overcoming common challenges in impact writing.

6. Establishing and Marketing an Impact Service

This final module focuses on helping you translate your knowledge of research impact into a practical, actionable service within your organisation. You’ll learn how to assess the needs of your research community, design a tailored support framework, and coach others in impact practices. This module will also guide you in marketing your services, building trust, and building partnerships to increase
uptake and researcher engagement. You’ll explore strategies to measure and communicate the value of your impact service, ensuring it can grow and remain sustainable. Ultimately, this module will support you to lead cultural change and embed impact into everyday practice, both for yourself and for the researchers you support.

Understanding the needs and expectations of your research community.

Building a support framework tailored to those needs.

Strategies for marketing and promoting your impact services.

Measuring and demonstrating the value of your service.

8 Online Sessions throughout the following 12 months

Module Title

Session 1: Stakeholder Engagement Strategies

Session 2: Social Media and Digital Outreach

Session 3: Skills, competencies, attributes of an Impact Practitioner

Session 4: AI for Impact & Visibility

Session 5: Policy & Research Impact

Session 6: Understanding Impact Storytelling: Deconstructing Impact Case Studies

Session 7: Sustaining Research Impact

Session 8: Fundamental Research & Impact

Meet Your Facilitators

A Dynamic Duo

Tamika and Cathie have been at the forefront of guiding and supporting researchers in effectively communicating their impact for the last 6 years. Together, they have trained over 7,000 people in research impact topics, delivering 275 workshops for 200 organisations. Tamika and Cathie’s extensive experience makes them perfectly equipped to deliver RIA’s unique train-the-trainer model.

Tamika and Cathie’s collaboration has led to training researchers across diverse disciplines – from health to history, business to agriculture, and law to arts – all over the world, including the UK and Abu Dhabi. Their combined expertise offers a rich and diverse perspective, ensuring that participants gain a comprehensive understanding of research impact in a global context. Join the Research Impact Academy’s transformative year-long program, uniquely designed for research administrators and impact officers. Under the expert guidance of Tamika and Cathie, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your understanding and enhance your skills in supporting and communicating research impact.

Dr Tamika Heiden

Director of the Research Impact Academy

A veteran in planning and writing impactful case studies, Tamika has worked with over 1000 individuals globally. Her expertise in unlocking research funding opportunities and amplifying potential impacts across various sectors has made her a sought-after consultant in the research impact community.

Cathie Withyman

Research Impact Communication Specialist

With over 20 years of experience, Cathie excels in developing engaging impact narratives. Her skill in crafting compelling stories that bring out the true nature of research impacts has been instrumental in her collaboration with leading universities and government departments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Impact Catalyst Program for?

This program is ideal for university staff and professionals involved in supporting research impact activities. It’s tailored for those looking to expand their influence, take on leadership roles, and elevate their skill set, further developing their training capabilities to empower others in their institution.
My organisation is just getting started with addressing research impact. How can the program help me?

The program offers focused train-the-trainer content to equip you with essential skills and knowledge for establishing and enhancing research impact activities. By participating, you’ll learn how to effectively train and support researchers and other staff in impact strategies, ensuring your organisation can confidently start and sustain its impact initiatives. The program will elevate your understanding helping you to lead and educate others within your institution on the importance and implementation of research impact
Why is the research impact academy offering this program?

At the Academy, we have been providing impact training and consulting services to academics and research funders for over ten years. During this time we have built a strong understanding of the most beneficial services for academics. A consistently identified need has been the development of tools and processes to share with internal service providers so that they can support their researchers/staff in understanding the intricacies of planning for, creating and communicating research impact.
Why is the program offered at such an affordable rate? Does this reflect on its quality?

Absolutely not. Our commitment to delivering exceptional value remains paramount. Similar to our annual free Research Impact Summit and complimentary webinars, this program is part of our initiative to give back to the research community and foster a culture deeply rooted in understanding and maximising research impact. By offering this program at an accessible price, we aim to reach and assist as many individuals as possible during its pilot phase. Rest assured, the affordability of the program does not compromise its quality; it is designed to deliver the highest standard of training. Please note, this introductory pricing is exclusive to the pilot phase, and future iterations of the program may see adjustments to reflect its comprehensive value.
I have participated in other research impact training, What makes the Catalyst Program unique?

Our program stands out by acknowledging the existing expertise of participants and building upon it through a collaborative learning approach. We involve participants in shaping the curriculum, including designing interactive activities, ensuring it is thoroughly engaging and directly relevant to their needs and the challenges they face in their roles.
I am a Research Impact Manager and already have expertise in supporting impact, will the program be relevant to me?

The program is designed to complement and expand your existing knowledge base, focusing on advanced training methodologies, effective communication strategies, and leadership in promoting research impact. By participating, you’ll gain insights into empowering others through education, enhancing your effectiveness as a trainer and leader.
Can I contribute to the planning and design of the training sessions?

Absolutely! We believe in a collaborative approach and welcome participants’ input on topics, methods, and goals. Your insights are invaluable in creating a program that is both meaningful and impactful for all attendees. All attendees will be asked to provide input in advance of the in-person training in Sydney via email.
What kind of support and resources will I have access to?

Participants will receive ongoing support throughout the training process, including access to a dedicated online platform for resources, networking, and discussion. Our team is also available to answer any questions and provide assistance as you apply what you’ve learned in your own training contexts.
Are there any prerequisites for attending this program?
Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
How does the Catalyst program differ from previous RIA workshops I've attended?

The Catalyst program marks a significant evolution from our previous workshops. Unlike earlier sessions that primarily targeted academics, this new initiative is tailored specifically for research support staff and impact practitioners like yourself. The program is designed to equip you with the specialised knowledge and tools you need to effectively facilitate and enhance research impact.

In the Catalyst program, we’ve flipped the traditional training model on its head. Instead of focusing on academics, we focus on the essential strategies and techniques support staff need to drive impactful research initiatives. We’ve opened our personal vault of experience to provide a behind-the-scenes look at Research Impact Academy (RIA) processes. You’ll gain access to the tried-and-tested methods we’ve developed over the years, learning how to apply these ‘secrets’ in your own work to foster significant and measurable research impacts. This is your opportunity to transform your approach and strengthen your ability to support impactful research within your institution.