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Bridging multiple meanings of 'impact' across and beyond the academy
(2025) Hall, Robyn; Auer, Meagan; McBeth, Renee; Green, Kassidy
"Impact" is central to contemporary research, yet its meaning varies widely across different stakeholders engaged in community-university research partnerships. This session will create a collaborative space for community members, academics, and administrators to explore and debate definitions of impact and how it is achieved. Informed by their research and professional practice, presenters will share diverse perspectives on what impact means to them in their respective roles as a community partner, community engagement facilitator, scholarly communications librarian, and community-based researcher. Participants will then be invited to share their own perspectives and experiences, reflecting on the tensions and synergies that arise from the process of striving to achieve meaningful outcomes when participating in community-based research. Key topics will include the challenges of balancing community priorities with academic goals, navigating differing views of impact among unique stakeholders, strategies for defining and pursuing impactful results, and practical strategies for communicating impact to different audiences. By sharing experiences, and considering multiple perspectives, this session will help shape a more nuanced and relational approach to defining and achieving research outcomes in community-engaged and academic contexts.