REF guidance on evidence

The REF2021 Panel Criteria and Working Methods listed a wide range of possible types of evidence that could demonstrate impact and indicate its reach and significance (see Annex A, pp. 77-89).

These were illustrative rather than exhaustive. There is a vast range of possibilities for evaluating knowledge exchange activities and showing the reach and significance of research impact. The most appropriate types of evidence will vary according to the project.

It is important to start gathering impact evidence as early as possible. The Faculty Impact Administrator, Joel Baker, can provide support and guidance for evaluating impact, public engagement and knowledge exchange activities, and for gathering and storing evidence of impact. Contact Joel on joel.baker@york.ac.uk, and he will be more than happy to help.

The University of York offers a public engagement evaluation toolkit. Some of these resources can be useful for capturing evidence of impact.

Some of the most relevant types of impact evidence for arts and humanities researchers include:

• Testimonials from external partners including creative practitioners, curators, media professionals, civil society groups, policymakers and education institutions.
• Audience/participant feedback, for example through surveys, interviews or focus groups.
• Evaulative reviews in the media.
• Professional evaluations of exhibitions, performances or other creative and cultural outputs.
• Documented evidence of changes in policy and their positive effects, making clear the link to the underpinning research.
• Documented evidence of the research being used in policy debate, public consultation, regulatory or similar document, or judgement.
• Direct citations of research in parliamentary publications such as Hansard, committee reports, evidence submissions or briefings.
• Evidence of influence on a debate in public policy through membership of or distinctive contributions to expert panels and policy committees or advice to any level of government.
• Publication and sales figures both in the UK and abroad.
• Audience and attendance figures (with appropriate contextualisation) and broadcasting data.
• Tourism data, including audience figures and visitor numbers at exhibitions, events and performances.
• Web analytics and download figures.

Further examples

Annex A (pp. 77-89) of the REF2021 Panel Criteria and Working Methods includes an extensive list of indicators of the reach and significance of research impact.

Panel C and Panel D each produced lists of possible types of impact evidence ahead of REF 2014:
Panel C REF2014 guidance on impact evidence (PDF , 184kb)
Panel D REF2014 guidance on impact evidence (PDF , 234kb)

If you would like support with or information about impact evidence and how to gather it, please get in touch with the Faculty Impact Managers on ah-impact-manager@york.ac.uk and the Faculty Impact Administrator on joel.baker@york.ac.uk.