TU Dublin Research Impact Framework (Version 2.0)

The Technological University Dublin Research Impact Framework is a practical resource that helps researchers plan for, track, and communicate the impact of their work. It supports strategic impact planning at the grant-application and project-design stage, provides tools for monitoring progress across the research lifecycle, and sets out clear approaches for evidencing and articulating outcomes to funders, policymakers, and the public. The framework is grounded in international responsible-assessment principles, including DORA, the Leiden Manifesto, the Hong Kong Principles, and CoARA, aligns with TU Dublin's Research and Innovation Strategy, and offers guidance on mapping research to UN Sustainable Development Goal targets and indicators. New in Version 2.0 A new Policy Impact section, showing how research can shape legislation and policy through policy briefs, position papers, and engagement with the Irish legislative process. A revised, cyclical "Making an Impact" model that presents impact as a continuous loop rather than a fixed end-point. Two new quick guides: one on Planning for Impact, and one on the Parliamentary Legislative Process. An indicators decision aid that pairs quantitative and qualitative evidence with each type of impact. Improved accessibility, including a full audio reading of the framework and alternative text on all images. Version 2.0 reflects a review of current practice, eighteen months of user feedback, and interviews with researchers across every faculty within TU Dublin. Further resources These and other practical resources are freely available on the TU Dublin Research Engagement and Impact Office website: Where do I start?: a starting point for researchers who are new to planning for impact. What does good impact writing actually look like?: worked examples of effective impact writing, including: Research Impact Questions by Funder Planning for Impact - Worked Examples Hypothetical Impact Responses Worked Examples Writing Research Impact Summaries - What Works and What Doesn't Hypothetical Examples of Research Impact Case Studies Influencing Public Policy: guidance on drafting policy briefs and position papers, and on when and how to engage.