About Us
We believe research impacts the shape of society and society impacts the shape of research. Our goal is to challenge the research enterprise to be more collaborative, and to focus on impacts beyond benefits to academic institutions or disciplinary knowledge. We work to translate the curiosity and expertise of researchers into policies, practices, and programs to benefit society, measuring reach not only by traditional academic metrics, but in lives touched and improved. Through every step of the research process, we help researchers center real people and their real lives.
What We Do
- Help researchers view their work through the lens of societal impact, guiding them through the process of uncovering who might benefit from their work and how best to deliver usable products and information
- Support pathways to expand who conducts research, whose needs guide research, and who benefits from research
- Make research more visible with thoughtful, tailor-made education and public outreach
How We Do It
- Support all students, faculty, and staff through research and programming
- Consult on and evaluate grant proposals
- Design impact activities for research programs
- Provide a searchable database of programs and facilitate partnerships
- Offer trainings and workshops on how to make wide-ranging impacts
Vision: Advance a university where research and creative inquiry consistently and equitably improve lives in Arizona and beyond by centering communities, strengthening practices for impactful research, and embedding societal impact across the research enterprise.
The Office of Societal Impact Mission:
- Equip researchers, staff, and students with knowledge, tools, and models to design projects that generate tangible societal benefits.
- Serve as a resource and connector for faculty and units to support them in public engagement and partnership‑development activities, providing frameworks, exemplars, and consultation.
- Leverage our local and national networks to support multi-organizational, collaborative teams to ensure that the greatest possible societal impact of the University of Arizona’s research is realized.
- Embed societal impact values and practices into institutional policies, incentives, and research support systems.