Assessing the Impact of Research – the Australian experience?

In the light of HEFCE’s proposed pilot exercise to develop methods for assessing the impact of research in the REF, it might be of interest to see how some Australian universities looked at this in the Australian RQF (Research Quality Framework). Monash University’s   2007 background information note for staff provided a grid of how “impact” is ranked. The University of South Australia provided workshops for staff to help in preparing impact statements and comments from staff on these are interesting to read.  However, in Dec. 2007, the Australian Government decided to drop the RQF, and a couple of months later announced the ERA (Excellenc in Research in Australia) initiative. The Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr also confirmed that the research impact element of the old RQF was being dropped.