We have been working over the last 3 years in a project called ‘Research for Impact’ with John James (Enablers of Change) and Denise Bewsell (Scarletti). The project followed preliminary research where we sought to pull together those principles that had been found in practice to maximise the usefulness, use and benefits of research.  This was funded by a number of Research & Development Organisations and others: Hort Innovation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Wine Australia, Dairy Australia, AgriFutures, LiveCorp, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, and the University of Melbourne’s Drought and Innovation Hub.

As part of this project, the research team worked across the RDCs and nominated projects to assist in putting these principles into practice and learn from this to guide others in doing so in their projects.  There were lessons from the study for both research funders and those applying for and undertaking funded projects.

Hort Innovation now has the Final Report online as well as a legacy document – Maximising Impact Handbook – which captures the practical use of these principles and examples from their use in the project.  This handbook captures much of the latest understanding of how best to engage and co-design with potential users and stakeholders to maximise the value of research outputs. The final report and legacy document can be accessed on: https://www.horticulture.com.au/Information-Hub/Our-Projects/Project-Reports/LP22001