QNRF hosts 3rd International School on Research Impact Assessment (ISRIA)

Measuring the impact of research

Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a member of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) hosted the International School on Research Impact Assessment, at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

The third International School on Research Impact Assessment (ISRIA) hosted by QNRF, took place in Doha, from November 8th to 12th and brought together more than 80 delegates from 10 counties, to shape the understanding, planning, valorization and dissemination of research outcomes and the impact they have on a local and global scale.

The participants learnt how to assess, measure and optimize the impact of research findings, while re-shaping the frameworks, tools and approaches currently utilized to evaluate research outcomes. Participants were also encouraged to increase their part in the collaborative networks that exist among research and development decision-makers and stakeholders.

ISRIA, with its multi-disciplinary and practical approach, offered an international dimension in the quality of its content developed by a group of experts from leading institutions from around the world.

“Enhancing participants’ skills on how to plan, implement, and manage Research Impact Assessment, how to communicate with their target audience and how to measure and optimize the returns generated by investments in research, reflects the motto of the School, “Learning to asses research with the aim to optimise returns”, said Dr Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director, QNRF.

Professor Jonathan Grant, ISRIA Co-Founder and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College, London, said “Research Impact Assessment (RIA) is not easy and no funder has the answer, but the School’s approach of demonstrating accountability through RIA, focusing on transparency and efficiency, is a practical approach to evaluating a societal return.”

ISRIA focuses primarily on RIA programme management, evaluation, knowledge translation, policy and decision-making in areas such as research and development for government, research funding organizations, academia, not-for-profits, the health industry, and so on.

During the closing ceremony, the School’s Scientific Director, Dr. Omar Boukhris, announced that the fourth edition of the School will be hosted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Melbourne, Australia in 2016.

For more information about ISRIA please visit the school website: http://www.theinternationalschoolonria.com/