Session 4.3 - Research Impact SIG
| Thursday, June 18, 2026 |
| 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM |
Speaker
Ms Saskia Gent
Director
Insights For Impact
Craft Your Impact Journey to REF
Session Description
This highly interactive and creative session will allow participants to take a step back and plan for what might be needed on the journey to REF submission. Aimed at Impact SIG members at all levels of experience, this session will offer delegates a chance to grow their professional networks and discuss best practice across the sector in a creative environment. In small groups participants will craft an ‘impact journey’ in the form of a 3D map, using collage, stickers, drawing, etc. Prompts from facilitators will add elements to the journey, encouraging participants to consider what they are likely to need.
Abstract
Navigating a pathway to impact in a REF submission is always a complicated endeavour and can be a lonely one for some professional service staff. This highly interactive and creative session will allow a rare opportunity to take a step back and plan for what might be needed on the journey to submission in 2028. It will enable participants to consider what training, tracking, assessment tools, support mechanisms and other milestones might needed to be prepared for or during your journey. What will you need to pack and what will you encounter on this journey? An opportunity to compare notes and discuss good practice will equip attendees with a clear picture of what they need to prepare, give them a chance to discuss options and provide reassurance.
Aimed at Impact SIG members at all levels of experience, this session will offer delegates a chance to grow their professional networks and discuss best practice across the sector in a creative environment. It will stimulate thought and discussion around the wider impact ecosystem and continue to develop our thriving Community of Practice.
Aimed at Impact SIG members at all levels of experience, this session will offer delegates a chance to grow their professional networks and discuss best practice across the sector in a creative environment. It will stimulate thought and discussion around the wider impact ecosystem and continue to develop our thriving Community of Practice.
Biography
Saskia has nearly two decades experience in all aspects of research impact. Having started her impact life on a migration and development project, she set up and ran the impact office at the University of Sussex. She led the Sussex impact submission to REF 2014, as well as managing a series of internal and external impact funds. Since creating the consultancy Insights for Impact in 2016, Saskia has supported numerous organisations, departments, and projects across the UK and elsewhere. She designs her interventions to enable researchers to set and achieve their impact goals, with a particular focus on using coaching-led approaches.
With 11 years’ experience working on Impact over two REF exercises, Charlotte is currently Head of Research Impact at the University of Hertfordshire. She leads a team supporting all aspects of impact, including training, funding, bid development, Impact Acceleration Accounts, REF preparations and impact strategy. Prior to joining Hertfordshire she worked at UCL (on impact), Imperial (organising CPD courses in the Middle East) and in the Public Health department of an NHS trust.
Dr Anne Jolly
REF Impact Manager
Durham University
Co-presenter: Craft Your Impact Journey to REF
Biography
Dr Anne Jolly is REF Impact Manager at Durham University, having previously held scientific roles as a physical oceanographer with NERC, Infoterra and the Met Office, then in Data Protection at Lincolnshire Police and the University of Lincoln, where she moved into the research impact field. Anne is based in the central Research and Innovation Services, working institution-wide to support Durham’s REF impact submission, and also works alongside a team of impact managers in promoting engagement and impact development within a healthy research culture.
Dr Hollie Johnson
Senior Manager, Research Impact & Knowledge Exchange
The Open University
Co-presenter: Craft Your Impact Journey to REF
Biography
Hollie is currently the Senior Manager for Research Impact & Knowledge Exchange (KE) at the Open University where she enjoys supporting its vibrant, interdisciplinary and challenge-led research culture. In addition to leading the KE and Impact team, Hollie works with researchers and research support-staff across the University to support the development of impactful research. Having previously supported REF2021 Impact submissions at the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences and The Open University’s Faculty of Business and Law, Hollie now provides strategic and operational leadership for the delivery of the OU’s REF2029 Impact submission.
Ms Charlotte Holloway
n/a
n/a
Co-presenter: Craft Your Impact Journey to REF
