Research that Makes a Difference – Publishing for Impact
PhD School at IT University of Copenhagen
Date and Time: 21-23 January 2026, 0900-1600
Course description:
Participants will be introduced to how to do research that makes a difference, specifically tension points, pivotal papers, citation classics, and types of impact. Academic impact is most important, needless to say, but three other types of impact will also be considered, namely policy, practice, and public impact. Participants will be asked to explain why specific instances of pivotal research became pivotal and achieved the kind of impact it did. Participants will also be asked to design a plan for how their next piece of research may become pivotal and have the type of impact that they would like for it to have.
Participants from all research fields are welcome.
Preparation:
Participants are expected to prepare for the course by:
- Reading the publications on the reading list ([1] … [6]),
- Select a pivotal paper/citation classic from the list below ([7] … [13]), read it carefully, and be prepared to explain in class why you think it became pivotal/a classic.
Prerequisites: PhD enrolment or equivalent.
Assessment: Participants will present their research- and publication plans (one A4 page) for a body of research, or for a single publication on day 3 of the course. Participants’ presentation of their plan will be assessed for (pass/fail). In case of fail, participants may resubmit.
Credits: 1.5 ECTS
How to sign-up: Please send an email to Johanna Christine Larby Lithén (jchl@itu.dk) including your CV, and documentation for PhD enrolment or equivalent.