Evaluating and improving research-society relations: The role of normal and extraordinary impact

Abstract

Reflecting on current methods in evaluations of the societal impacts of research, this policy brief pinpoints the distinction between normal and extraordinary impact of research and the limitations of evidence-based case studies. Societal impact does not occur primarily as unexpected extraordinary incidents of particularly useful breakthroughs in science. Is it more often a result of normal everyday interactions between organizations that need to create, exchange and make use of new knowledge to further their goals.