Impact Skills for Research Leaders

Australia invests millions in science, innovation and R&D. Yet translating research into real-world impact remains a challenge.

Impact Innovation’s own research has identified the critical factor that distinguishes success from the slog: research leaders who manage every aspect of their projects – not just the research itself, but also design, monitoring, evaluation, and team (including industry) collaboration.

As a research leader, you're already producing excellent science. But imagine if you could:

• continuously refine project design for optimal outcomes while leading multidisciplinary teams and industry partners effectively
• co-create robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, leveraging data to drive results
• complement your technical skills with proven tools and tactics to maximise research impact

Strengthening these capabilities will help your research achieve its potential.

Why Impact Skills Matter

Funding bodies, industry partners, and senior leadership value strong project management and evaluation frameworks very highly.

Researchers who can demonstrate robust impact pathways, lead multidisciplinary teams, and co-create meaningful evaluation strategies stand out in competitive grant rounds and career advancement opportunities.

This training equips you with evidence-based project design capabilities that improve stakeholder relationships and impact metrics.

What You'll Learn

Choose from 3 targeted modules* (or complete all 3 to gain the microcredential):

1. Project & Program Design for Impact – Embed impact from day one of your research projects
2. Monitoring & Evaluation for Research Leaders – Co-create M&E frameworks that reveal useful results and insights
3. Multidisciplinary & Partner Team Management – Lead diverse teams and industry collaborations effectively

How You’ll Learn

Each module is delivered live online in a focused 2.5-hour group session, limited to 15 participants for optimum interaction and engagement.

Impact Innovation senior partners with extensive experience in designing, delivering and evaluating R&D projects for impact will guide you through Australian and international best practices.

* See below for the date, start time and registration page of each module.

What You’ll Gain

Early and mid-career researchers who have completed our impact skills training report:

• improved project management outcomes
• confidence to co-create meaningful M&E frameworks
• more effective and satisfying collaborations
• more measurable impact at each stage of their research.

The Professional Advantage

Early and mid-career researchers who have completed our skills training report improved project outcomes, stronger stakeholder relationships, and greater confidence navigating the complexities of research leadership – skills that directly enhance career trajectory and organisational value.

Better project design and stronger M&E frameworks reduce reputational risk, offer realistic accountability, and strengthen stakeholder confidence. More effective team and industry partner coordination accelerates impact delivery and optimises outcomes from every research dollar invested.

Your Investment: A$375 per module (inc. GST)

Select your sessions to strengthen your research leadership capabilities.

Module 1 Thu 26 Mar 10 am AEST | Project & Program Design for Impact

Register here

Module 2 Thu 2 Apr 10 am AEST | Monitoring & Evaluation for Research Leaders

Register here

Module 3 Thu 16 Apr 10 am AEST | Multidisciplinary & Partner Team Management

Register here