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01/07/26 - General information

HMRIB launches its Impact Department to promote the social return of research

The Hospital del Mar Research Institute has presented its new Impact Department, a cross-cutting structure created to strengthen the centre's capacity to generate, measure, transfer and communicate the impact of research and innovation to society.

Its creation responds to the evolution of the research and innovation system and to the growing importance that organisations such as CERCA, the ISCIII, AQuAS and other stakeholders in the sector place on the generation and demonstration of impact. This comes in a context in which research centres must go beyond scientific excellence and be able to demonstrate the value their activity brings to patients, the healthcare system and society.

The new department is led by Ismael Ávila, Head of Impact at HMRIB, and its mission is to coordinate a cross-cutting strategy aimed at maximising the value generated by the knowledge, technologies and initiatives developed at the centre.

A department at the service of researchers and the centre

During the presentation event, the services, tools and capabilities that the Impact Department makes available to the research community were introduced. The new structure supports researchers throughout the entire life cycle of their projects, from knowledge generation to transfer, implementation and communication. It also works in coordination with the Institute's different areas to strengthen internal collaboration and enhance the return of research.

The event also included the round table "Why an Impact Department? How do we help researchers and clinicians measure impact and social return?", with the participation of Toni Bassaganyas, project management officer at IDIBGI, and Paula Adam, researcher at the AQuAS Research Lab.

During the round table, participants reflected on new research assessment models, the importance of measuring research return and the tools that can help researchers demonstrate the value their work generates for patients, the healthcare system and society.

From left to right: Ismael Ávila, Toni Bassaganyas i Paula Adam.

Four areas to promote impact

The new department is structured around four major complementary areas:

Quality and Data Intelligence

This area is focused on gaining a better understanding of the centre's activity and environment through data management, indicators and strategic intelligence. It includes activities related to data quality, impact assessment, technology and market watch, the generation of institutional knowledge and support for decision-making.

Transfer and Translation

This area is dedicated to transforming research results into solutions with real-world application potential. It supports the definition of regulatory roadmaps, business plans, and the analysis and protection of intellectual property, as well as the drafting of these sections in competitive funding applications. It also contributes to project valorisation, clinical translation, implementation readiness, the creation of spin-offs and technology transfer.

Business Development

This area is responsible for strengthening connections with industry and the innovation ecosystem. It works on identifying business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, attracting partners and externally promoting the centre's projects and capabilities.

Scientific and Social Outreach

This area focuses on communicating and projecting the impact of research. It supports researchers in building impact narratives, scientific outreach, citizen engagement, patient involvement and the strategic communication of results and initiatives.

D'esquerra a dreta: Ismael Ávila, Toni Bassaganyas, Paula Adam i Judit Cubedo.

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