Research Impact means different things across the higher education sector, and no single definition exists. This ambiguity shapes what gets measured, what gets funded, and what research reaches the real world. Frameworks like the UK’s Research Excellence Framework do recognise social, and environmental impact categories. However, the academic literature suggests that economic indicators are considered more tractable, more politically legible, and more methodologically developed. Social and environmental impact assessment operates in an area of more ambiguity as a result, where subjective judgements can be made without consistent frameworks, and where measurement has not kept pace with the growing expectations placed on higher education institutions. This paper presents a systematic literature review of how research impact has been conceptualised and measured across higher education systems, with a particular focus on the Irish third level sector. Drawing from an initial review of the contribution literature, this review will test two assumptions which have arisen. First, that while economic impact measurement has reached a level of methodological maturity, the broader literature lacks coherence: the relationships between economic, social, and environmental dimensions remaining largely siloed and undertheorised. Second, the social and environmental dimensions remain significantly underdeveloped. Institutional commitment and evolving funding requirements have moved faster than measurement practice has been able to follow. No nationally harmonised indicator set currently exists to address this gap. The paper will assess whether the evidence base supports both assumptions, and outlines what a more holistic approach to these dimensions might look like in the Irish context.

Authors:
Robert Ludgate, University College Cork & Munster Technological University, Ireland
Stephen Brosnan, University College Cork, Ireland
Justin Doran, University College Cork, Ireland

About the Presenter(s)
Robert Ludgate is Research Impact Co-ordinator at MTU and PhD Candidate at UCC. Bioeconomy researcher, sustainability advocate, and North Kerry gardener. Enjoys travel and walks with his three dogs.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertludgate

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