Working with universities
Preparing for REF 2029
At Fellshore, we help universities turn research into real-world influence by supporting teams to define clear impact goals, capture robust evidence and engage the stakeholders who drive change.
As REF 2029 approaches, we bring together expertise in communications, policy and evaluation to help institutions take a more strategic approach, building strong case studies, embedding effective evidence practices and communicating impact with clarity, confidence and credibility.
Our offers
What it is
A one-day, practical course that brings together research and knowledge exchange teams to define the purpose of their research, clarify the impact they want to achieve, and develop strategies to reach the right stakeholders.
What it looks like
The session blends short, interactive theory with a live case study showing how communications create impact in practice. Participants then apply the same framework to a project chosen by you, defining a clear impact pathway and identifying the audiences who can help them achieve it.
Where
Delivered in person at a venue of your choosing. Maximum 20 participants.
What you get
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Two experienced facilitators (Jen Robson and Colin Bell)
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Full-day session (10am–3pm)
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Write-up of your team’s impact framework and case study outcomes for future reference
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What it is
A structured, searchable framework that captures and categorises your research outputs, transforming disconnected reports into a clear, central library of evidence aligned to your institutional priorities and REF themes.
What it looks like
We begin with a workshop to agree your objectives, key themes and the fields/tags that will structure your framework. We then review and upload your reports into a draft library for feedback and refinement.
Output
An online library that stores and organises all your research outputs, searchable by theme, outcome or audience, a living catalogue of evidence to support case study development and wider storytelling.
What it is
Practical support for research teams who are developing REF impact case studies and need to strengthen their evidence base, particularly where impact is emerging, indirect or second‑order.
This offer focuses on identifying gaps in impact evidence and putting in place clear, proportionate ways to capture the evidence needed to support credible REF impact claims.
What it looks like
We work with research, impact and knowledge exchange teams to apply a structured theory of change approach to impact evidence.
Through a facilitated process, we:
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Map the pathway from research activity to first‑ and second‑order impact
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Test the logic and assumptions that underpin impact claims
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Identify where evidence is strong, weak or missing across the pathway
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Prioritise the gaps that matter most for REF reach and significance
We then work directly with researchers to move from analysis to action—identifying realistic and appropriate ways to capture both primary and secondary impact evidence. This may include:
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Identifying who to engage to evidence impact and why
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Advising on proportionate methods for capturing evidence (e.g. feedback, documentation, decision‑making records)
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Supporting teams to embed simple, repeatable evidence‑capture processes
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Reducing reliance on retrospective reconstruction by supporting proactive capture
Output
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A clearly articulated theory of change for the case study
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A structured assessment of evidence strengths and gaps
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A practical, REF‑aligned evidence capture plan
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Clear guidance for researchers on how to support ongoing evidence collection
Outcome
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A stronger, more coherent REF impact narrative, underpinned by credible evidence and a clear line of sight from research to real‑world change.
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What it is
We develop strategic, actionable engagement plans that help you build the relationships, visibility and influence needed to achieve your research impact ambitions.
This offer focuses on capturing primary and secondary impact evidence in a systematic, targeted way — identifying and filling evidence gaps, strengthening partnerships, and driving purposeful engagement that leads to measurable outcomes.
What it looks like
We begin with a collaborative workshop to map your research ecosystem and apply our stakeholder engagement model. We then develop a detailed plan including:
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Priority stakeholder mapping
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Engagement tactics and sequencing
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Message frameworks and channels for influence
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Metrics to measure engagement and progress
Output
A clear, practical stakeholder engagement strategy tailored to your institution or research centre - including a detailed stakeholder map and actionable plan.
Implementation support
If you’d like support to deliver the plan, for example, communications activity, events or partnership engagement, this can be scoped and costed separately as part of the planning process.
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Why ‘Fellshore’?
We understand how complex the REF process can be, but also how powerful clear communication and structured evidence can be in demonstrating genuine impact.
Our work helps universities build the clarity, confidence and capability to show how their research changes the world.
