Whilst many of the words used in the context of research impact and engagement have wider use, when navigating the impact world of academia, there can be specific uses of words and phrases. This resource provides definitions and use context as it relates to research impact and engagement at St Andrews.
Acronym Cheat Sheet
All acronyms marked * are the terms used by the University, external bodies may use different terminology
AHRC Arts and Humanities Research Council
BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
*DOII Director of Impact and Innovation
*DOR Director of Research
ECR Early Career Researcher
EDAP Equality and Diversity Advisory Panel
EDI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
*EES Earth and Environmental Sciences
EIA Equality Impact Assessment
EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
ESRC Economic and Social Research Council
EU European Union
*FAS – Finance Advice and Support
FTE Full-Time Equivalent
FTMA Flexible Talent Mobility Account
GCRF Global Challenges Research Fund
*GSD Geography and Sustainable Development
HEI Higher Education Institution
HESA Higher Education Statistics Agency
*HOS Head of School
IAA Impact Acceleration Account
*IIF Impact and Innovation Fund
*IRED Institutional REF Equality and Diversity
KTP Knowledge Transfer Partnership
LPIP Local Policy and Innovation Partnership
MRC Medical Research Council
NERC Natural Environment Research Council
PBIAA Place Based Impact Acceleration Fund
PDRA Postdoctoral Research Associate
PI Principle Investigator
RAE Research Assessment Exercise
*RBD Research Business Development
RE Research England
REB Research Excellence Board
REF Research Excellence Framework
REG Research Excellence Grant
*RIS Research and Innovation Services
RO Research Organisation
RTPs Research Technicians and Technology and Skills Specialists
SCH Strategic Co-ordination Hub
SFC Scottish Funding Council
SMRU Sea Mammal Research Unit
SOI Scottish Oceans Institute
SPRE Scottish Policy and Research Exchange
STFC Science and Technology Facilities Council
*TTC Technology Transfer Centre
UKRI UK Research and Innovation
UOA Unit of assessment
UPEN Universities Policy Engagement Network
WBH Walter Bower House
Definitions
Activities – What you do as part of your research e.g. collaboration, lab/fieldwork
Engagement – communicating research to non-academic stakeholders, by reaching out to three main audiences: professionals, policy practitioners, and the general public.
Impact – a demonstrable effect, change or benefit beyond academia
Impact Evidence – Proof of impact claims which demostrate the change. See Impact Evidence for further information
Innovation – a product, service, business model, or strategy that is both novel and useful
Inputs – Requirements of research projects, e.g. time, staff, facilaties
Internal/External – Internal relates to processes created/managed by St Andrews; external relates to processes outside of St Andrews
Outcomes – Changes resulting from research or associated activities, e.g. media coverage, spin-outs, adaptations
Outputs – Products or deliverables of research and associated activities, e.g. publications, legacy materials