Short, evidence-based notes on the ideas that inform my work—logic models, impact pathways, practical KMb—what they look like in real life.
Transforming Research Impact: From Outputs to Flourishing Scholarship
Some research changes the world. Not because it appears in the highest-impact journal or receives the most citations, but because it finds its way into conversations, classrooms, boardrooms, policies, communities, and decisions. This has led me to wonder whether we sometimes ask the wrong questions about research impact. Rather than asking, “How can I increase…
Impact Narrative > Metrics: Why Story Wins
Metrics tell us how much; narratives tell us why it matters.A good impact story doesn’t replace evidence—it gives it meaning. The limits of metrics Metrics (like downloads, citations, or social media reach) are tempting because they’re easy to count. But they rarely tell the full story.They show activity, not effect. Numbers can confirm that something…
Beyond Citations: Rethinking Research Impact
When we talk about “research impact,” many people immediately think of citations and publications. While these are important, they represent only one part of a much bigger picture. Impact is multi-dimensional — it includes how you shape your field as a scholar, but also how your work connects with people, informs decisions, strengthens communities, and…
Impact vs. Visibility vs. Citations — what’s the difference (and why it matters)?
TL;DR Clear definitions (in plain terms) Common mix-ups: How to measure each in ~10 minutes (today) 1) Visibility: a fast scan If two of those are “no”, your visibility bottleneck is likely discoverability or clarity—not volume. 2) Citations: a quick snapshot If your most-cited work isn’t your current focus, add one line on profiles to…
6 Surprising Truths That Will Change How You Think About Research Impact
You’ve poured years into your research. You’ve published significant work. And yet, you have the nagging feeling that it has vanished into an academic echo chamber. You see the citation counts tick up—a sign that your peers are reading it—but you’re left wondering if it’s making any tangible difference in the world. This frustration is…
Enabling vs. Achieving: A Guide to University Research Impact Strategies
For centuries, universities have been centers of discovery, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. But in recent decades, a new question has gained prominence: what is the real-world benefit of this research? Funders and governments, who provide significant public investment for university research, increasingly want to see a return on that investment in the form…
Lyndre Diederichs 