Translating research into real-world impact is a persistent challenge in higher education. Research impact can be defined as the tangible difference that research makes beyond academia. Yet most researchers are trained within a single discipline, making it difficult to develop the multidisciplinary perspective that meaningful impact demands. Developing holistic research impact narratives requires support across multiple stakeholder perspectives. Research impact literacy is the knowledge and skills needed to create, evidence, and communicate that impact, a challenge this programme was designed to address.
This paper presents Designing Multidisciplinary Research Impact, a pilot design thinking-based researcher development intervention at Munster Technological University (MTU), examined through a programme evaluation approach. Co-designed by the MTU Research Office and design thinking specialists, it brings researchers into a multidisciplinary, structured, cohort-based experience. Design thinking principles informed both content and process, moving from framing the impact challenge, through to multidisciplinary understanding. To date, the programme has been delivered to two cohorts, engaging approximately 40 researchers from various disciplines and experience levels. Between sessions, participants applied their learning by completing a real-world validation task within their own research context. Participants demonstrating competency across all learning outcomes were awarded an accredited MTU digital badge, a portable, verifiable credential recognising their impact literacy. Evaluation data were collected through post-programme online surveys examining confidence, knowledge gain, and shifts in thinking. Initial findings indicate positive learner experiences and growing confidence in understanding research impact. The programme team believes this to be a replicable model, adoptable across larger cohorts and diverse research contexts.

Authors:
Robert Ludgate, Munster Technological University, Ireland
Fred Creedon, Munster Technological University, Ireland
Hillary Cronin, Munster Technological University, Ireland
Angela Palmer, Munster Technological University, Ireland
Niall Smith, Munster Technological University, 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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