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About ResPACT: Research for Societal Impact

ResPACT is a university-based think-and-do tank initiated by the UMCares team. Its primary goal is to improve social impact, sustainability, and project development through strategic establishment of partnerships, robust capacity-building programs, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes.

ResPACT serves as a dedicated one-stop center for research impact, specifically focusing on community engagement. This initiative aims to empower researchers to effectively translate their academic and applied research findings into valuable knowledge and management practices for a diverse range of stakeholders, including business, industry, economy, and civil society. Our ongoing efforts—such as the production of a guidebook, micro-credential courses, an impact clinic, and workshops—are designed to benefit our university community and, consequently, the society at large.

Core Pillars

Our Mission

To act as a catalyst for the change of thinking and implementation on research impact in research and community engagement, driving forward meaningful change.

Our Vision

To shape the practice and influence policies in community engagement to positively impact individuals and communities. As a think-and-do tank, we enable better and more effective decision-making by generating and promoting knowledge, tools, and best practices for stakeholders and the community we engage in. We believe that by understanding social impact through the lens of community dynamics, governance structures, and socio-economic relationships, we can positively impact the lives of people, improve communities, improve development pathways, and contribute to a fairer world.

Key Objectives

  • To develop and implement an impact ecosystem for UM.
  • To promote the impact agenda in UM.
  • To help researchers understand, articulate, and plan for impact by providing consultation, technical assistance, and training.
  • To monitor and evaluate research impact in Community Engagement.
  • To assist on impact measurement and reporting.

Benefits

For the University Community:

  • Helping researchers to achieve their impact goals.
  • Providing training and resources on research impact.
  • Connecting researchers with stakeholders.
  • Raising awareness of research impact best practices.

For Society at Large:

By helping to ensure that research is used to solve real-world problems, this initiative will lead to improved social, economic, and environmental outcomes for all.

ResPACT Introduction Video

ResPACT Impact Pathway & Resources

ResPACT Impact Pathway Diagram
 📚 Guidebook   💻 MOOC Course   🛠️ Workshop   🏥 101 Impact Clinic   📖 Impact Stories   📧 Newsletter