Impact and Engagement

Impact is defined as an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia

Impact can be thought of as the real-world outcomes of research. It can be measured through changes in policy, societal behaviour, or industry practice.  In order to effect positive change, we need to engage effectively with key stakeholders so we can ensure that our research is addressing the real problems we face as a society.  Through open and effective communication, we can make sure that our research findings are reaching and benefitting people, and that the public are well informed. Together, impact and engagement maximise the value of our research, taking it from an academic pursuit to a tool for innovation, informed decision-making and, ultimately, societal progress.

In LICAMM, impact and engagement are a vital part of our research. Our close strategic partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTHT) provides opportunities for translation of basic research into clinical practice. We also have close ties with the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) which is a leading centre for translation in cardiometabolic and other diseases. We work closely with Research, Quality and Innovation Leads and Impact Leads within the Faculty of Medicine and Health to deliver on the Faculty Impact Strategy. An example of our research impact is given in the following REF2021 impact case study.

Case Study – Cardiovascular MRI scans: the heart of cost-effective diagnosis

The challenge
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of heart disease and a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Heart disease affects 1.98 million people in the UK and treatment costs the UK £9 billion per year. Until recently, expensive and invasive tests were needed to diagnose CAD before it could be treated. 

The solution
Research carried out by Professor John Greenwood and Professor Sven Plein helped to determine that Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging can be a more cost effective and safer alternative to traditional diagnosis tests, They undertook the largest study on the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic ability and cost-effectiveness of CMR imaging. It showed that current standard clinical tests can be greatly improved upon, by utilising CMR imaging scane in the diagnosis of heart disease,

The impact
The introduction of CMR into routine clinical practice has had a profound effect on patients living with heart disease: giving them access to safer and more accurate diagnostic testing, meaning they can receive the best treatment options as quickly as possible. This reduces the need for more expensive and invasive diagnostic tests and allows resources to be used elsewhere in the NHS to help more patients.