NRF Engaged Research Framework-Strengthening the Delivery of Excellent Research

Science systems across the world are increasingly recognising the importance of the broader societal impact of research, which includes the interdependent dimensions of social, economic, and environmental impact. Given the significant shifts over time, both nationally and internationally, in considerations of knowledge production; the roles of the university as a public institution; the nature of the relationship between science and society; social responsiveness; and societal impact (among others), the NRF has adopted the “Engaged Research Framework” to underpin the organisation’s Vision 2030 of ‘Research for a better society’.

Engagement in the research process can be realised across the full cycle of research: Upstream of research during identification and development of research priorities and strategies, and the formulation of research questions and proposals; Midstream of research through the involvement of publics and communities within the research process itself; and downstream of research through ensuring the utilisation of research and innovation outputs and impacts via engagement with communities once research projects have been concluded.