Research Impact Lab

Many opportunities to apply evidence in policy, programs and service delivery are missed, and researchers are often unable to apply their findings in practice.  We know that research findings cannot be ‘transferred’ in a simple, linear way into action.  Rather, decisions to make change are affected by many factors such as resources, community views, capacity etc.  Significant evidence-informed change often requires coordinated effort by different organisations and individuals over a long period of time, and an ability on the part of those involved to identify and capitalise on opportunities for change when they occur.

While researchers increasingly want to see an impact from their work, there are few systems which they can use to maximise the chances of change in policy, programs and service delivery.

Pathways to change uses system thinking, cognitive behavioural methods and organisational approaches and provides a pragmatic approach to identifying achievable goals. The process brings the expertise of the Sax Institute together with that of researchers, clinicians and content experts to understand what needs to change, to build on the enablers of change, and to manage the barriers. From this analysis, the Pathways to Change process maps the steps required to help achieve the agreed outcomes.