Towards characterising negative impact: Introducing Grimpact — Aalborg University's Research Portal

Abstract:  This paper categorises the nature of what we have labelled as the potential for 'GrImpact', in the evaluation of the wider influence of research, beyond academia. As the impact agenda broadly defined grows to include more formally criteria that consider the value of research beyond academia, so too does the pressure to ensure that these assessments of public value are conducted with the public's best interests in mind. In many cases, any negative impact from research cannot be foreseen at the time of the evaluation, making it vital that any kinds of rewards for impact stimulate only positive public benefits (aka "the right type" of impact). Using a series of case studies of identified "negative impact" this paper explores the concept of Grimpact, as well as creates typologies of its characteristics and precursors.