From research to impact: How to write and evaluate an impact plan?

In academic contexts, impact is increasingly considered an important third pillar alongside excellent research and education. At Hasselt University, impact has recently been incorporated into the evaluation of professors. The idea behind impact is that research should go beyond the boundaries of academia and contribute to broader societal change, including cultural, economic, ecological, environmental, health and policy-related benefits (REF, 2014, p. 6; NWO, 2026; Wilsdon et al. 2015, p. 6, Bührer, 2026). International research funders and evaluation frameworks, such as the European Commission and REF, therefore place increasing emphasis on (societal) impact and the societal uptake of research. EU policy defines this as research that focuses on: 1. EU policy and global challenges through research and innovation activities; 2. delivering benefits and impact through research and innovation missions; 3. strengthening the application of research and innovation in society. 

At the same time, many researchers struggle with translating these expectations into practice. How can research be connected to societal challenges and stakeholders? What makes an impact plan realistic and meaningful? And how can researchers evaluate whether their work has contributed to societal impact over time? 

This workshop, led by Prof. Liesbeth Huybrechts, provides participants with conceptual frameworks and practical tools to develop, reflect on and evaluate societal impact within their own research context. Participants will be introduced to existing impact models and approaches, such as Theory of Change, impact pathways and productive interactions, as well as the Hasselt University 7P model for drafting and evaluating impact plans. Through interactive exercises and reflection on their own research projects, participants will work towards a first draft of an impact and evaluation plan. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, you will...

• be acquainted with key definitions and existing frameworks related to societal impact, such as the theory of change, impact pathways, and productive interactions;

• have insight into different dimensions of societal impact in research and innovation contexts; 

• be acquainted with the 7P model, crafted with the workgroup societal impact at UHasselt, to draft and evaluate impact; 

• be able to critically reflect on the societal positioning and potential impact of their own research; 

• be able to identify relevant stakeholders, partnerships and impact pathways for their research project; 

• be able to develop a first draft of an impact and evaluation plan for their own research context.

Competences

An important part of preparing for any further professional step is becoming (more) aware of the competences you have developed and/or want to develop. In the current workshop, the following competences from the UHasselt competency overview are actively dealt with:

• Academic research competences
  • valorisation
• interpersonal competences:
  • stakeholder awareness
• intellectual competences:
  • conceptual/synthetic thinking

For whom?

• PhD students, postdocs & ZAP staff who wish to integrate societal and/or economic impact into their research project for example, as part of a PhD, European, FWO, BOF or other research project or who want to develop an impact plan for a promotion application.
• 15 places available

When and where?

• November 24, 2026 - 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:00
• Location: Hasselt University, campus Diepenbeek, building D, room tbd

Registration

• Register here from June 25 until October 28, 2026.
• As places are limited, registering does not automatically imply that you will be able to participate. You will be notified by email after the registration deadline has passed.
• Please cancel your registration at least one week in advance in case you cannot make it (cf. cancellation & no-show policy).

Acknowledged as?

• DS BSH: tbd
• DS HLS: tbd
• DS ST: tbd