When Impact becomes culture: the role of institutions in shaping change

In the first four Impact corners we talked about what impact is, how to make science more connected to society, what we value when we talk about impact, and how to measure it and learn from it. Now, we are taking a further step: if we want all this not to depend solely on people or projects, we need to ask how institutions can create an environment that facilitates and integrates it—a culture that promotes impact in a strategic, structural, and shared way.

When we talk about a culture of impact, we are not referring to having a dedicated projects section or organising a single event. Rather, we mean an institution that creates the space, strategy, and support necessary for impact to be possible and habitual. This is an institution that does not delegate this responsibility to individuals but rather assumes it as part of its institutional identity.

We want to close this first season of the Impact Corner by reflecting on the measures and practices that can promote a healthy approach to a culture of impact at the institutional level. We will also consider the most common limitations, challenges and opportunities, building on the insights of international networks and experts in the field.
 

Before describing its elements, it is necessary to start with a definition. A culture of impact is defined as the set of values, practices and attitudes that cause an institution to consider impact an essential part of its mission and the way it conducts research. It's not just about talking about impact, it's about integrating it into decisions, the recognition of academic and administrative staff, and the relationships established with society.

But what does it mean for this culture to be healthy? It means that it goes beyond meeting external requirements to create real spaces in which to make an impact, providing the necessary strategy, resources, and support.  A healthy culture is positive, clear and shared: everyone knows what impact means, what their role is in promoting it and how to make it a reality. It is a culture that learns, adapts and connects research to social needs in an honest, structural way.

When this happens, impact is no longer an additional task, but an integral part of the institution's practice. This is documented in the Institutional Healthcheck Workbook by Dr Julie Bayley and Dr David Phipps. In it, they describe these characteristics and guide you through the practices and commitments that promote and facilitate a healthy approach to impact culture in institutions.

If institutions do not assume an active role, impact becomes too dependent on the individual will of specific researchers or on the occasional requirements of funding institutions. This is fragile: relying on personal initiatives makes efforts unequal, vulnerable to staff changes, and difficult to consolidate over time.

An increasing number of initiatives are helping institutions to incorporate a culture of impact in a strategic and effective way. These range from networks such as the EARMAImpact thematic group, which has a working group on impact culture, and the impact practice community of the CERCA institution, to tools like the Institutional Healthcheck Workbook, among others.

Relevant reports have also been published, such as the “Towards Transformation” group from COARA, which proposes integrating impact and its evaluation into research systems and institutional policies.

To promote impact strategically within institutions, different approaches generate opportunities, challenges, and limitations during the process. Based on a report from the ENLIGHT alliance (a partnership of ten European universities created to contribute to the transformation of European higher education by developing various actions and activities around - not only! - a culture of impact), we have summarised these points here:

Limitations and Challenges to Keep in Mind
-    Low knowledge about impact
-    Lack of funding, offices, and staff specialized in impact
-    Lack of systems and tools to monitor and evaluate impact
-    Few training opportunities and resources available to support and research staff within centres
-    Lack of leadership, recognition, and strategies to promote impact
-    Difficulties in some knowledge areas (e.g., basic research) in feeling part of this change

Opportunities for Institutions
-    We are in a favourable context for change
-    Many institutions have made significant progress
-    Co-creation with stakeholders is increasingly being incorporated into research
-    Many resources are openly available
-    Artificial intelligence can assist with some impact-related tasks, although it carries different risks and ethical considerations
 

Perhaps the key lies in understanding that a culture of impact is not built with a single action, but with many small decisions that all move in the same direction:

-    Clearly define and communicate what 'impact' means.
-    Include it in strategic plans and staff evaluation criteria.
-    Provide support through spaces, offices and training.
-    Foster internal collaboration and external co-creation.
-    And, above all, learn from the process, monitor it, and adapt as necessary.

A culture of impact is a collective strategy. Rather than being a trend or an obligation, it is an opportunity to make research more relevant, open and connected to society. When institutions take on this challenge, impact stops being a distant goal and becomes a shared reality. After all, it is this that gives science meaning: contributing to a better world.

As we move toward more responsible, collaborative, and open evaluation models, new opportunities also emerge to rethink how scientific knowledge is generated, shared, and applied. Experience accumulated across many centers shows that when there is institutional commitment, adequate resources, and a network that facilitates co-creation, the path toward research with impact beyond academia is not only possible but also enriching for all parties, while strengthening the role of institutions as drivers of growth and improvement in their surrounding environment.
 

-    White paper: Transformative Research Assessment: Integrating Societal Impacts into Evaluation Frameworks; COARA: Towards Transformation Working Group
-    Tool: Is your University Impact Ready? Enlight Toolkit for Self-Assessment of Universities Research Impact Awareness, Literacy and Readiness.
-    Book: Cornerstones of Impact Management, edited by: Anne-Maree Dowd, Thomas Keenan, Kathryn Graham.
-    Institutional Healtcheck Workbook, Dra. Julie Bayley i Dr. David Phipps.
-    Report on barriers and opportunities on R&I impact-driven agendes; ENLIGHT Deliverable 8.4