We define research impact as the results and effects of research. This includes academic impact, such as enhancing scientific quality and building critical expertise, and societal impact, which is about the contribution research has to society and the economy, and its benefits to individuals, organisations or nations.
Impact is created in many ways, for example through publications and disseminations, and engaging stakeholders and involving end-users. It is impact when research leads to the development of policy, practice or services, shaping legislation and changing behaviour. Impact can occur quickly, but typically takes time – sometimes long after the project at NordForsk has been completed.
This report relies on data reported by the research groups during our 2023 submission period, where the projects report data from their funding periods so far. This represents a cross-sectional view of NordForsk funded research as it is, but is not fully comparable with past impact reports.
Furthermore, we recognise that there is a causality problem when measuring impact, specifically effects. While the results of our activities and associated research can be measured and reported with ease, demonstrating causal relationships between any variables with certainty is a systemic challenge within the scientific realm.
Apart from these
limitations, we consider
the report a fair and comprehensive representation of the
results and effects of the research activities we fund — our impact.