MS
5.0Reviewed Sep 16, 2020
This course has been super helpful in broading my knowledge in research with people.
It is really helpful for upcoming researchers and practitioners! It changes the view to see an research.
Research for Impact
This course is about the Research for Impact approach - a set of principles and practices that will help you to make your research more impactful. Traditionally, the goals and outcomes of research projects were to contribute knowledge and communicate this knowledge through academic publications and journal articles. But If we truly want our research to have an impact, we need to do research differently. Research that influences change in policy, practice, behaviour, and attitudes. On this six-week journey, Jesse DeMaria-Kinney and Mark New share their experience of the Adaptation at Scale for Semi-arid Regions (ASSAR) Project, where they developed and refined the Research for Impact approach. They are joined by researchers and practitioners who followed this approach in their research. Together you will explore the five elements of the Research for Impact approach, i.e. Theory of Change; Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Strategic Communication, Capacity Development; and Influencing. You will also get opportunities to hear from researchers and practitioners on the ground who followed this approach and hopefully become inspired and equipped to incorporate these principles into your own research projects. The course is free to enroll and take. You will be offered the option of purchasing a certificate of completion, which you become eligible for if you successfully complete the course requirements. This can be an excellent way of staying motivated! Financial Aid is also available.
Status: Strategic Communication
Status: Influencing
BeginnerCourse20 hours
Featured reviews
GR
5.0Reviewed Jul 1, 2021
A great way to practice research for impact. The activities are really helpful to apply what you have learned in the course.
EK
5.0Reviewed Apr 5, 2023
The instructors, teachers and researchers show great pedagogic skills.
AN
5.0Reviewed Nov 29, 2025
Terimakasi Coursera atas ilmu dan pengalamannya ini sangat berharga bagi saya
LM
5.0Reviewed Jul 12, 2021
This was a very productive course for me I would do it again if it had a higher level
AT
5.0Reviewed Apr 25, 2020
The approaches taught in the course offer pragmatic application in both upstream and downstream works. Highly recommended.
MN
5.0Reviewed May 27, 2022
Thank you very much for a very comprehensive topics you have shared.. I have learned a lot. God bless
DP
5.0Reviewed Jun 22, 2020
It is really helpful for upcoming researchers and practitioners! It changes the view to see an research.
AJ
5.0Reviewed Jun 26, 2019
Very informative & I enjoyed the peer evaluations because it offered more learning opportunities.
ND
4.0Reviewed Oct 11, 2023
Very insightful course. It came at a time I'm thinking of establishing a concept to impact change. Each module was as though the speakers read my mind. Thank you for the opportunity.
FM
5.0Reviewed Mar 14, 2022
Thank U very much. I am on the right track due to your great contribution.
AM
5.0Reviewed Jul 26, 2021
The course was very insightful and a big thank you to the instructors and the respective Institutions
All reviews
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Dipali Patel
5.0
Reviewed Jun 22, 2020Manju Singh
5.0
Reviewed Apr 24, 2020Its highly recommended and relevant course for all disciplines. Researchers would be able to learn this specific skill how to carry out research for purpose and use. Great Learning would like to be in touch for further learning and dissemination . Appreciation !!!!
Claire Pearce
5.0
Reviewed Jun 12, 2019Very interesting course, I thoroughly enjoyed it, would recommend. It's especially important because I agree that research cannot just be done on or about people but to be for the people and that works best with the people!
Angelo Tubac
5.0
Reviewed Apr 25, 2020The approaches taught in the course offer pragmatic application in both upstream and downstream works. Highly recommended.
Richard Osei-Yeboah
5.0
Reviewed Jul 12, 2019This course changed my understanding and approach to academic research. It would be great to incorporate this module in research curricula to ensure students and researchers conduct impactful research not just one to add to credentials. Great!
Jordi Pietx
5.0
Reviewed Aug 9, 2020I fully recommend the course to anyone interested in the topic. High standards of lectures and materials. Really useful complementary readgings. A couple of the course themes could be in more depth, but the majority are really good!
Aweke Mulualem Gelaw
5.0
Reviewed Mar 8, 2021I found this course the most important one among those I took so far on coursera. It completely changed my understanding and perspective on the purpose and process of conducting research for societal change. Thanks for the opportunity.
Sukanta Mohapatra
5.0
Reviewed Jul 19, 2020The course will be very helpful for even for a field knowledge provider like me to design my strategies, planning different advocacy communications, and helping to design questionnaires to collect data from the field.
YEDAVELLY SRINIVAS REDDY
5.0
Reviewed Jul 19, 2020I don't have money to pay for issue of certificate.I have completed Research for impact course successfully.I am sponsored by Kommuri Pratap Reddy Institute of Technology.Kindly issue e-certificate.
Garcia, Rachelle
5.0
Reviewed Jul 1, 2021A great way to practice research for impact. The activities are really helpful to apply what you have learned in the course.
Amal Jama
5.0
Reviewed Jun 27, 2019Very informative & I enjoyed the peer evaluations because it offered more learning opportunities.
Pawan Rana Magar
5.0
Reviewed Mar 25, 2020I found it very interesting and useful. It has helped me lot to enhance my knowledge.
Thank you.
Joleen
5.0
Reviewed Jul 22, 2020This course is absolutely worth it, I loved every part of it and it has changed my life.
Kadidiatou SOULEY YERO
5.0
Reviewed Apr 20, 2020This course is very interesting and I am going to use this approch in my research.
Rigzin Angmo
5.0
Reviewed Sep 10, 2020This course helped me a lot and bring a more wider aspects to me.
Thamsanqa Basi
5.0
Reviewed Feb 8, 2021This is was the greatest course design I have ever attended online. Very interactive and quizzes were quite engaging - that was wonderful, as learning takes place when one is engaged through thought provoking questions like the ones in this course. Well done to Oxfam and UCT, and all lecturers and researchers that were involved. Kudos!
chabalanga ng'ambi
5.0
Reviewed Aug 16, 2020A very transformative course full of skills to enable researchers and practitioners conduct research that creates impact. The skills I have acquired through this course are essential for my career progress as Im now confident of conducting a research that gives greater impact. Thanks to University of Cape Town , Oxfam and Coursera Team
maria jose borrero
5.0
Reviewed Feb 27, 2021Thoughout the course all topics were interesting, seing the different perspectives of the participants and how intercultural a research for impact project could be is also encouraging to have an open mind in terms of opinions, positions and experinces.
Estery Madavo
5.0
Reviewed Oct 20, 2020The course provided detailed interlinked processes (Planning/monitoring; stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships, strategic communication , Capacity Development and Influencing) that play a crucial role in promoting impact of research.
Siyanda Vunukwa
5.0
Reviewed Jul 4, 2020It was easy to follow and all the instructors seem to have a passion for research. I am now convinced that this is the future of research the field is evolving and new ideas and practices are becoming more prominent.