Making an Impact 2026 Programme
Making an Impact is the University of Liverpool’s annual flagship programme focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and abilities that colleagues need to effectively generate research income and increase impact.
All sessions align with the university strategy, Liverpool 2031, by contributing to the ongoing development of a fertile research culture and environment in which colleagues' success in research income and impact can flourish, and the Making an Impact 2026 Framework.
Development opportunities will run from March – June 2026, with three full Making an Impact weeks from 1-19th June 2026. Download the Making an Impact 2026 programme here
Group Coaching
These sessions can help you gain clarity, confidence, and strategic direction in your careers. These have been themed to link to building your contributions to advancing knowledge exchange and the wider researcher environment, which are key areas of the University Research and Impact Contributions Framework (3a and 3b).
Coaching dates
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Date and time |
Group coaching theme |
Event format |
Booking link |
|
22 April 10-11:30am |
Demonstrating your impact beyond academia |
In-person |
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5 May 9:30-11am |
Raising your profile and expertise |
Online |
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4 June 3-4:30pm |
Demonstrating your impact beyond academia |
In-person |
|
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9 June 12-1:30pm |
Building and maintaining successful research partnerships |
In-person |
|
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23 June 10-11:30am |
Demonstrating impact beyond academia |
Online |
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24 June 2-3:30pm |
Raising your profile and expertise |
Online |
|
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25 June 11-12:30pm |
Building and maintaining successful research partnerships
|
Online |
Making an Impact in April
|
Date and time |
Session details |
MAI Framework: Engagement and Impact themes |
MAI Framework: perspectives |
Event format |
Booking link |
|
14 April 2-3pm |
Writing for The Conversation This explore what The Conversation is; what they do and why. You’ll also look at why you should communicate your research to the public and take you through The Conversation’s unique, collaborative editorial process. |
Public Policy and Services Beyond Academia Digital and AI Culture and Environment |
C. Working with public and the third sector G. Public and community engagement |
Online |
|
|
30 April 1:30-4pm |
Harnessing creativity and diverse ideas in a collaboration This short, interactive workshop explores how power and privilege influence research collaborations, offering practical strategies to build psychological safety and creativity within teams |
Public Policy and Services Economy Beyond Academia Digital and AI Culture and Environment |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship G. Public and community engagement H. Personal and professional research impact skills
|
In-person |
Week 1: 1-5 June
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Date and time |
Session details |
MAI Framework: Engagement and Impact themes |
MAI Framework: perspectives |
Event format |
Booking link |
|
1 June 11-11:45am |
Innovation, collaboration & business insights This session will introduce researchers to business fundamentals and give an overview of entrepreneurship using real world examples from universities. |
Public Policy and Services Economy Beyond Academia |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continuing professional development F. IP and commercialisation |
Online |
|
|
1 June 2-3pm |
KEYNOTE: Creating innovation for societal impact Hear from Philip Colligan, MBE on driving innovation to create impact in communities and across society |
Public Policy and Services Economy Digital and AI |
B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector E. Local growth and regeneration G. Public and community engagement |
In-person |
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2 June 10-11:30am |
Managing multi-partner international research projects for impact Join this session to explore a tested framework and clear strategies to boost your research collaboration across borders and sectors. |
Economy Beyond Academia Culture and Environment |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continuing professional development |
Online |
|
|
2 June 2-4pm |
Beyond chance: How to build and sustain successful research collaborations The session offers practical strategies that can help you feel more confident developing professional relationships. |
Beyond Academia Culture and Environment |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continuing professional development |
In-person |
|
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3 June 09:30-10:30am |
KEYNOTE: Working across boundaries to tackle inequalities Dr Ruth Hussey CB, OBE, DL will discuss working across different sectors to positively impact health inequalities in local communities |
Public Policy or Services Beyond Academia Sustainability |
C. Working with the public and third sector E. Local growth and regeneration G. Public and community engagement |
In-person |
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3 June 11:30am-12:30pm |
KEYNOTE PANEL: AI for Life Join this panel to hear about how University for Liverpool is working to use AI innovation to improve health, strengthen communities and drive inclusive prosperity |
Digital and AI |
A. Researcher partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector |
In-person |
|
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3 June 2-3:30pm |
Driving innovation and research impact: Harnessing the power of the triple Helix cross sector collaborations This workshop will aim to demystify cross sector research collaboration at the heart of the triple helix model, with the aim to support researcher develop their innovative ecosystem and identify key research areas and projects that are attractive to all partners involved |
Public Policy and Services Economy Beyond Academia Digital and AI Sustainability Culture and Environment |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continuing professional development E. Local growth and regeneration F. IP and commercialisation |
Online |
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4 June 10-12:30pm
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How to develop 'real world' impact with academic research This 2.5-hour workshop equips researchers with practical skills for planning meaningful engagement and creating measurable impact beyond academia |
Public Policy and Services Economy Beyond Academia Digital and AI Sustainability Culture and Environment |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continuing professional development E. Local growth and regeneration F. IP and commercialisation G. Public and community engagement |
Online |
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5 June 10-11:30am
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Knowledge exchange kickstart - Explore knowledge exchange in action This workshops introduces participants to the core concepts and practical approaches of Knowledge Exchange. It will cover KE models, a simple three-step process to identify and define opportunities, and stakeholder mapping to support meaningful engagement |
Public Policy and Services Beyond Academia |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continuing professional development G. Public and community engagement |
Online |
Week 2: 8-12 June
|
Date |
Session title |
MAI Framework: Engagement and Impact themes |
MAI Framework: perspectives |
Event format |
Booking link |
|
8 June 10-12pm |
Knowledge exchange relationships and how to find them With signposting from UoL’s Partnerships Team and best practice insights on how to find and develop Knowledge exchange activities non-academic organisations, this interactive workshop will help you plan how to extend your network and create new relationships for future collaborations and perhaps even a job |
Digital and AI |
A. Research partnerships B. Working with business D. Continuing professional development F. IP and commercialisation |
Online |
|
|
8 June 2-4pm |
Writing for The Conversation This workshop will look at why you should communicate your research to the public and take you through The Conversation’s unique, collaborative editorial process. You will have the opportunity to discuss your research with a Conversation editor, pitch potential story ideas and receive feedback |
Public Policy and Services Beyond Academia Digital and AI Culture and Environment |
C. Working with the public and third sector G. Public and community engagement
|
Online |
|
|
9 June 10-11:30am |
Communicate with industry – Translate research for industry This masterclass focuses on translating academic expertise into industry-relevant value propositions, asking the right questions to understand stakeholder needs, and creating impactful introductions that open doors to collaboration |
Public Policy and Services Beyond Academia Digital and AI |
B. Working with business D. Skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship F. IP and commercialisation H. Personal and professional research impact skills |
Online |
|
|
9 June 2-4pm |
Maximising the impact of your research outputs Maximise the impact or your research outputs through effective sharing and dissemination, with Springer Nature |
Beyond Academia Culture and Environment |
D. Continuing professional development G. Public and community engagement |
Online |
|
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10 June 9:30-11am |
What intellectual property do I have and how can I commercialise it? Discover how to identify, protect, and commercialise your intellectual property to support the social and economic impact of your work |
Economy Digital and AI |
B. Working with business F. IP and commercialisation |
In-person |
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10 June 11:30-1:30pm |
How to identify and approach potential clients This workshop will help you to systematically decide with whom you would like to work, and tailor an approach that will get them talking to you |
Economy Digital and AI |
B. Working with business F. IP and commercialisation |
In-person |
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10 June 2:30-4:30pm |
Developing a Commercial Proposal Learn how to develop a commercial proposal to win funding from your chosen partner |
Economy Digital and AI |
B. Working with business F. IP and commercialisation |
In-person |
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11 June 10-11:30am |
From Insight to Innovation: Fast-Tracking Commercial Success Transform your ideas and discoveries into real-world impact through commercialisation and innovation pathways |
Economy Beyond Academia |
B. Working with business D. Continuing professional development F. IP and commercialisation |
In-person |
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11 June 2-3pm |
Collaborating with experts-by-experience This workshop will explore some of the principles and practicalities of building research partnerships with potential end users and experts-by-experience |
Public Policy and Services Beyond Academia Culture and Environment |
A. Research partnerships C. Working with the public and third sector G. Public and community engagement |
Online |
|
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12 June 10-12pm |
Connecting campus, industry and community: Liverpool Living Labs Programme Introducing our Living Lab programme and how we can connect industry and research funding to real life sustainability research on campus |
Beyond Academia Sustainability |
A. Research partnerships C. Working with the public and third sector D. Continued professional development G. Public and community engagement |
Online |