Impact Officer (1FTE, 3-year FTC)

The Royal College of Art is the UK’s only entirely postgraduate institution of art and design, dedicated to teaching, research and knowledge exchange with industry. The RCA has been ranked the number one university-level institution for art and design, internationally, for the eighth consecutive year according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022.

Applications are invited for a Research Impact Officer in Research and Innovation (Research & Knowledge Exchange Office).  This is a full time and fixed term role for a duration of 3 years, based at our Battersea offices with occasional visits to the other campuses of Kensington and White City.

Purpose of role

The RCA is the most research-intensive art and design institution in the UK (REF2021), with a substantial portfolio of research grants, doctoral studentships and industry-funded research and knowledge exchange projects. This role is part of the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office team, responsible for providing support for the development and monitoring of research impact across the College; working with the Head of Research Development to identify and develop potential impact case studies for the next REF exercise; and leading on the day-to-day delivery of the RCA’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Account.

Key Responsibilities:

The Research Impact Officer/Manager will be responsible for working with academic and professional services colleagues to maximise the impact of RCA research.

This includes:

• Working with academic colleagues to identify impact arising from their research
• Ensuring impact evidence is being collected and recorded appropriately
• Supporting the development of impact case studies for REF as well as for the RCA website and other publications
• Working closely with the Head of Research Development to deliver the RCA’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Account and to monitor and evaluate the outputs of the IAA

Main Duties:

• Work closely with academic staff, as well as professional services staff as appropriate, to maximise research impact and to ensure impact evidence is collected and stored.
• Working with the Head of Research Development, support the development of the RCA’s impact culture by working collaboratively with colleagues in the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office, Schools and Research Centres as well as Marketing & Communications, including engaging as appropriate with staff responsible for the RCA’s public engagement and knowledge exchange strategies and activities.
• Provide practical advice and guidance to academic staff delivering impact activities, including on how to plan, deliver and evaluate different types of impact.
• Contribute to the development of systems and processes that support the collection of impact evidence, particularly impact that continues beyond the completion of a research project.
• Assist in the identification, preparation and writing of high-quality impact case studies (e.g. REF, external website, etc.).
• Working closely with the Head of Research Development, undertake the day-to-day delivery and management of the RCA’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Account, including developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of internal funding opportunities, events, training and PhD placements, coordinating the RCA IAA Steering Group, and supporting the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the IAA deliverables and outcomes.
• Build external networks with contacts in other HE institutions through ARMA and other routes to share best practice.

Please see the Information Pack for more information

This role will close at 11.59pm on 4 January 2023

Interviews are likely to be held via Zoom on 18 January 2023

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