Research impact evaluation and academic discourse

Abstract The introduction of ‘impact’ as an element assessment constitutes a major change in the construction research evaluation systems. While various protocols impact exist, most articulated one was implemented part British Research Excellence Framework (REF). This paper investigates nature and consequences rise ‘research impact’ academic from perspective discourse. Drawing linguistic pragmatics Foucauldian discourse analysis, study discusses shifts related to so-called Impact Agenda on four stages, chronological order: (1) ‘problematization’ notion ‘impact’, (2) establishment ‘impact infrastructure’, (3) consolidation new genre writing–impact case study, (4) academics’ positioning practices towards theorized here triggering ‘subjectivation’ self. description basic functioning ‘discourse is based analysis two corpora: studies submitted by selected group academics (linguists) REF2014 (no = 78) interviews ( n 25) with their authors. Linguistic particularly useful analyzing aspects data, while Foucault’s theory helps draw together findings datasets broader governmentality framework. approach allows for more general conclusions governing (academic) subjects within contexts.