How to Develop 'Real World' Impact with Academic Research

Posted on: 4 May 2026 by Dr Naomi Tyrrell (Number of words: 283; Read time: 1.5 minutes) in Blog posts

Dr Naomi Tyrrell, Director of Research Your Way Ltd., discusses the importance of planning, collaboration and evidencing as integral research practices for delivering meaningful research impact.

Many researchers are motivated by the hope that their work will contribute to positive societal change, yet even high‑quality research does not automatically lead to impact. Engagement that is rushed, tokenistic or poorly aligned with people’s needs can limit how research is understood, taken up or acted on – regardless of its academic strength. 

Effective research impact begins with planning. This means thinking carefully about who research is for, how people might realistically interact with it, and what kinds of change are plausible within the context of the project. Crucially, credible impact strategies are shaped by constraints as well as ambition: time, skills, access, power dynamics and organisational realities all matter. 

Research impact is relational. It grows through trust, shared understanding and iterative dialogue rather than one‑off dissemination. Structured collaboration with communities, practitioners or policymakers can help ensure that research questions are relevant, that outputs are usable, and that feedback loops are built in from the outset. This kind of engagement not only strengthens impact but often improves the quality of the research itself. 

Another common challenge is evidencing impact without over‑claiming. Meaningful impact is rarely linear or immediate. Being clear about pathways, assumptions and contribution allows researchers to demonstrate value responsibly, while recognising that change is often partial, collective and ongoing. 

Taken together, these considerations point to engagement and impact as integral research practices rather than add‑ons. When planned thoughtfully, they help researchers move beyond abstract aspirations towards practical, ethical and achievable change. 

These themes form the backbone of the session I’m delivering as part of Making an Impact, where researchers will have structured time to reflect on their own projects and develop a draft engagement and impact pathway grounded in real‑world practice.

Naomi is delivering a workshop as part of Making an Impact 2026 to equip researchers with practical skills for planning meaningful engagement and creating measurable impact beyond academia. How to develop 'real world' impact with academic research is taking place online on Thursday 4 June, 10am - 12:30pm. Find out more and book your place here: https://MAI2026_Sprint.eventbrite.co.uk

About the author

Dr Naomi Tyrrell is Director of Research Your Way Ltd. She works with organisations to design engagement strategies that are credible, ethical and rooted in real‑world practice, with a particular focus on evidence‑building and responsible impact. She is an ICF Accredited Coach and Trainer.