Enhancing Recognition for Engaged Research

At the University of Oxford we believe that research flourishes best when it connects with the world beyond academia - engaging the public, communities, policymakers, business, and industry to create meaningful societal and economic impact. However, despite the enthusiasm for such engaged research, a lack of formal recognition can often discourage sustained, impactful efforts. We are excited to share an update on a project aiming to change that.

What We’re Doing
In MPLS we are working to develop clear, practical criteria for recognising engaged research within the institution’s developing Academic Career Framework (ACRF). This work builds on existing principles of valuing both knowledge and impact generation, ensuring that contributions to public, policymaking, and industry collaboration are acknowledged throughout a researcher’s career journey.

By embedding engaged research into career progression criteria, we aim to empower researchers to confidently pursue high-quality engagement activities  that enhance their work's societal relevance and impact without compromising their career development.

Our Approach
We’ve started by gathering insights from researchers, engagement practitioners, and managers from institutions that have already established such frameworks to understand current practices, barriers, and successes in recognising engaged research. In the spring, co-development workshops and discussions with departmental teams will shape draft criteria that reflect the diversity of disciplines and career stages. Hopefully that will generate testable criteria with selected departments to help ensure they are robust, adaptable, and practical.

What We Hope to Achieve
Our ultimate goal is to create an environment where engaged research is not only encouraged but also rewarded. This means:

• Defining “what good looks like” in engaged research (that is flexible and relevant to account for career stage and discipline).
• Offering clear guidance to researchers and managers on evidencing and recognising impact.
• Integrating these criteria into existing career structures for sustainable, long-term change.

Over the coming months, we’ll refine our criteria, share outcomes, and invite feedback from across the institution. If you’re interested in contributing or learning more, stay tuned for updates, or reach out.