We’re yet to find a truly effective way of explaining the often complex and unpredictable routes by which research activity leads to real-world change. I…
Want an impact? Tell a good story
12/11/2015
Blog Posts
The Global Guide to Research Impact
Alex Gwyther is Communications Manager at the UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS), the group of 14 UK government departments and major funders with interests in research for international development. He also leads UKCDS work on Research Communications, Uptake and Impact – bringing together the UKCDS members and other key organisations to share best practice and identify opportunities to enhance current and future work on research impact. Alex has worked at various science media and communication organisations and most recently as a Policy Advisor at the UK Government Office for Science.
Website: http://researchtoaction
12/11/2015
Blog Posts
We’re yet to find a truly effective way of explaining the often complex and unpredictable routes by which research activity leads to real-world change. I…
30/06/2014
Blog Posts
In this post, Alex Gwyther reflects on the valuable work of UKCDS in building a body of knowledge around the evaluation of research impact. He goes onto highlighting a series of resources produced by UKCDS to help guide people through this complex area.
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re pausing to reflect at Research to Action (R2A) ✨
This year, 27,000+ readers from 188 countries joined us in exploring how research can better inform action — reading, sharing, and asking thoughtful questions along the way 🌍📚
Despite a challenging year for international development, our community leaned into conversations about:
📊 Impact and learning
🔄 Knowledge brokering & evidence use
🤖 AI and the future of research
What inspired us most was how you engaged — with curiosity, care, and a commitment to making evidence matter.
✨ Looking ahead, we remain focused on creating space for reflection, learning, and meaningful exchange — together.
Thank you for being part of the journey. Here’s to another year of curiosity and impact 💛
🔗 Link in bio to read our full reflection
#ResearchToAction #EvidenceInPractice #ResearchImpact #KnowledgeSharing #EndOfYearReflection #GlobalCommunity
In our latest blog Inés Arangüena breaks down the Researcher Impact Framework (RIF) — a super practical way to show the real-world impact behind research, not just the publication count.
✨ Why it’s worth a read:
💡 Clearly explain the difference your work makes
📚 Connect outcomes to real evidence + activity
🤝 Highlight impact through collaboration, knowledge sharing & community
📊 Use metrics that actually matter (not just journal impact factors!)
If you’re a researcher, communicator, or anyone trying to share the story behind your work… this framework is a game-changer.
🔗 Link in bio to read the full blog!
#ResearchImpact #KnowledgeTranslation #DataDrivenStorytelling #AcademicCommunications #ImpactNarratives Trinity College Dublin
Revisiting a 2022 article by Tebby Leepile this International Week of Science and Peace. It dives into the challenge of scaling implementation science: too big becomes unsustainable, too small makes little impact. 🌍🔬
How do we find the balance that leads to real change?
Full article in linktree just click #R2AArchive 🔗
#ScienceForPeace #InternationalWeekOfScienceAndPeace #ImplementationScience #SustainableDevelopment #ScaleUpImpact #FromDataToImpact #InnovationForGood
Research To Action (R2A) is a learning platform for anyone interested in maximising the impact of research and capturing evidence of impact.
The site publishes practical resources on a range of topics including research uptake, communications, policy influence and monitoring and evaluation. It captures the experiences of practitioners and researchers working on these topics and facilitates conversations between this global community through a range of social media platforms.
R2A is produced by a small editorial team, led by CommsConsult. We welcome suggestions for and contributions to the site.
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