How is my research relevant to society?

An artistic photo of a lightbulb in front of a group of people meeting at at conference table

How can you convert the scientific questions you propose into messages relevant to your audience (beyond your peers)? It is important to remember that conversations with your audience are a two way street. You are not just bestowing knowledge in your BI activities, it is a process of learning what is important to your audience and finding common ground to share how your research is relevant and perhaps provide solutions to questions your audience may have about the science. The goal is to understand which aspects of your research are most relevant to them, and what you should prioritize as you share your research beyond your peers.

 

NSF Examples of BI Priorities

Below are a number of examples of BI projects reflective of the NSF BI priorities as identified on NSF's Broader Impactsreference page, and adapted from their Perspectives on Broader Impacts (pdf).

You can use a variety of approaches to incorporate broader impacts in your research. You can focus on education or outreach or your goal can be to integrate educational or outreach efforts with your research.

The following examples, drawn from past NSF awards in compliance with the PAPPG illustrate the variety of approaches that PIs use to ensure the scientific and societal relevance of their research. These are examples and should not be copied for use in a proposal.

A person wearing Google Glass

Full participation of women, persons with disabilities and underrepresented minorities in STEM

Young visitors at the Science Museum of Minnesota use a paint set of acids and bases to learn about pH while creating artistic compositions

Improved STEM education and educator development at any level

Volunteers with the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST)

Increased public STEM literacy and public engagement with STEM

The WIFIRE initiative, led jointly by the University of California, San Diego and the University of Maryland works to better predict and mitigate future wildfires

Improved well-being of individuals in society

Students in front of the ATLAS instrument

Development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce

Antennas of the Atacama Large Milimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) scrutinize our universe

Increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others

Participants in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Ebola training course for healthcare workers

Improved national security

A student at the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center

Increased economic competitiveness of the United States

Drexel University biologist Katy Gonder collects chimpanzee fecal samples in Lobeke National Park in Cameroon for genetic analysis

Enhanced infrastructure for research and education including facilities, instrumentation, networks and partnerships

A montage of scientists and engineers at work

Use of science and technology to inform public policy

In Your Proposal

When constructing and reviewing your BI statement, it is important to consider the following questions:

  1. Does your BI statement address a demonstrated need?
  2. Are the needs of those participating in your project described?
  3. Are the benefits to participation described?
  4. Is the length of the engagement with the participants described and adequate?
  5. Is there a mechanism described for reaching them?

Reviewers of your proposal will be asking:

  • What is the potential for the proposed activity to benefit society and contribute to achievement of specific desired societal outcomes?
  • To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

 

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