Demonstrating Policy & Media Impact: Assessment of a Pilot Project

Purpose: Researchers, institutions, and funding agencies have shown a growing interest in demonstrating both academic and public impact of research. In 2016, the University of Minnesota Libraries launched a pilot project to offer faculty reports detailing their impact in these non-traditional areas. Setting/Participants/Resources: The Policy & News Media Impact Service piloted this service with five departments in the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center. Brief Description: The team established policies and procedures, refined workflows, and identified core resources which were freely available or already in the Libraries' collections. In 2017, 17 reports were completed for the five target departments. The reports were most frequently requested by faculty in Family Medicine and Epidemiology & Community Health in support of promotion and tenure dossiers and grant applications. The team responsible also engaged in active marketing and ongoing evaluation of the service and its utility. Results/Outcomes: Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 91% of respondents indicating that they would recommend the service. One faculty noted that the service "is pure gold for helping to understand, and share, the impact of my work." In response to this success, the pilot has been expanded to an established service. Evaluation Method: Participants were invited to complete a satisfaction survey including both qualitative and quantitative measures. 11 faculty completed surveys and reflected upon the usefulness of the report for its intended purpose, the ease of accessing and working with the service, and the likelihood they would recommend the service to a colleague.