Why "Impact" Fails Grand Challenges—and What Works Instead

Traditional academic impact is built on artificial boundaries: knowledge is “created” by researchers and handed off to managers for use. This dualistic view breaks down for the world’s most complex problems—like climate change or inequality—which demand ongoing collaboration rather than isolated expertise.​

Pragmatist Impacting: A Continuous, Collaborative Process

This research argues for a pragmatist perspective, seeing impact as a recursive, relational journey where theory and practice co-evolve. Instead of waiting for research to be “completed” before managers get involved, solutions are co-created from the start. At Innovation North, researchers and managers built new systems by jointly experimenting, adapting, and learning—showing that impact means transformation for all parties, not just transmission of ideas.​

New Rules for Researchers, Managers, and Problem-Solvers

For researchers: Invite practitioners into the research process from day one and treat impact as something you build together. For managers: Don’t sit back and wait for ready-made answers—actively help shape both the questions and the solutions. For grand challenges: Real progress requires true partnership, continuous experimentation, and a focus on learning—not just results.