If you want your research to make a difference, you need to think about who will use it. 

The Research Impact Academy has recently published a blog on how and why it is important to ensure research users are at the forefront of research impact. The Academy is an organisation dedicated to helping researchers, institutions, and policymakers turn knowledge into real-world impact. Since 2014, they have worked with over 200 organizations and thousands of individuals across sectors and countries.

Although research users will vary, they are almost certainly going to include decision-makers (such as government officials); managers who make policies or run programs; practitioners  (teachers, doctors, or social workers who use research in their daily work); the people who are affected by the research or help shape it; and other researchers, who build on your work or work with you.

Audience matters – they will help to turn your findings into real-world action. If you involve them early, they can help you ask the right questions, make sure your research is useful and share your findings with others. It also means your communication should be clear and accessible, so that all stakeholders can make the most of it.

This blog is of interest to anyone who wants to know more about the motivations of research users, as well as the challenges they face.