Our mission is to support researchers to make a difference.

Our mission

We are committed to supporting academic institutions, research organisations and researchers to make a difference through their research.

Our manifesto

We want to drive progress in these five interconnected areas:

Time-pressed researchers benefit from access to a broader range of intensive impact support so their research findings, evidence and insights can drive positive change.

Research communications, engagement and impact cannot be 'add-ons' to the research process; they must be embedded within it, which, in turn, increases the quality of the research.

Research support professionals working with academic researchers to design, develop and deliver research for the benefit of society deserve more resource and recognition for their expertise.

Digital and AI tools have important roles to play in knowledge exchange, research dissemination and impact capture – but we need to continue to value the human approach in translating research into impact.

Research impact stretches far beyond assessment exercises like ‘the REF’. Approaching it in a way that is genuinely supportive of researchers is key to a thriving research culture.

Our story

“As a journalist in China I interacted with academics to tell stories of economic, politica l and social change. In doing so, I became interested in the challenge of how best to communicate research, and, instead of moving from one story to the next, how to translate knowledge and evidence into meaningful, lasting action.

“Returning to the UK in 2009, I worked alongside researchers to engage the world in their work – just as the Government began to devise plans to assess the societal impact of academic research. I explored and wrote about the role of 'knowledge brokers' in deepening links between academia and policymakers. I worked with a dozen universities to increase and demonstrate the impact of their research in the run up to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, the first time the sector was asked to articulate the public benefits of its research.

“From 2016, as an independent consultant, I partnered with several institutions as best practice around research impact evolved – with funding and impact successes, REF 2021 outcomes and positive feedback from researchers validating this collaborative approach. Researchful is the natural next step. It reflects my belief in the need for a dynamic, creative and sustained approach to engagement, communications and impact, where researchers are supported throughout the research cycle to secure funding, achieve their goals and effect positive change.”

- Chris O’Brien, Founder and Director, Researchful

Chris O’Brien

Chris is an experienced knowledge broker, communicator and research impact specialist, working with senior university leaders, research support teams and academics across disciplines. A Visting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire, he has collaborated with around 20 universities over the last 15 years, including through long-term research impact adviser roles at Herts and the University of Southampton. Beyond academia, Chris applies his professional skills to leading community projects and youth football coaching.

Read on

Building institutional impact literacy

One-to-one coaching and impact consultancy developed the impact literacy of University of Southampton researchers and helped the institution to deliver a leading REF 2021 impact submission.

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Communicating consensus to inform care home policy

Translating research evidence and diverse views at high-level policy stakeholder events into consensual position statements that influence policy debates.

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What people say

“We learnt valuable lessons from Chris about how to frame and focus our key research messages to maximise their impact on different beneficiaries. This included gaining the confidence to be bolder in our assertion of the research evidence and why it should be acted upon. We now embed this approach within our Centre’s research strategy, and it has benefited us in terms of showcasing our research expertise, including for REF2021.”

Professor Wendy Wills, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), University of Hertfordshire

“It's a luxury to be able to point researchers in Chris's direction. He has an unmatched ability to understand the complexities of a research project – regardless of the discipline – and to gain researchers’ trust in allowing the story of their work to be expressed in a way they may not have considered previously, whilst not losing the substance or accuracy of the research findings. The result is invariably engaging, thought-provoking and of an exceptional quality.”

David Steynor, former Impact Framework Manager, University of Southampton

“Chris demonstrated how genuine, sustained impact can be achieved when researchers are given dedicated, intelligent and multifaceted support to engage with the policy process in a strategic and focused way.”

Catherine Manthorpe, Former Head of the Research Office, University of Hertfordshire

“Chris's interactions with our academics were always engaging and respectful, asking key questions about their research activities while appreciating the challenges that come with generating impact while balancing other academic responsibilities.”

Sian Moody, former Impact and Research Manager, University of Exeter

“Working with Chris in developing our research impact ahead of REF 2021 was an extremely rewarding process, which paid dividends. His professionalism, knowledge of the sector and attention to detail ensured we strengthened our REF submissions. His journalistic instinct and fact-based investigative approach unearthed impact that was not evident to the academic authors. This enabled us to submit case studies that were initially not thought to be submissible. Quite simply, engaging Chris’s expertise was one of our most worthwhile investments for REF 2021.”