WHO Global Coalition for Evidence Webinar: How can we better understand, assess and demonstrate the real-world impact of research, and achieve greater societal value in future?

18 June, 2026

Forwarded from the WHO Global Coalition for Evidence.

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Join the World Health Organization (WHO Global Coalition for Evidence) for an interactive webinar on How can we better understand, assess and demonstrate the real-world impact of research, and achieve greater societal value in the future?

As part of the activities of the WHO Global Coalition for Evidence and its partners, this webinar will offer a timely and engaging exploration of the rapidly evolving field of research impact and research impact assessment. Drawing on decades of international experience and emerging global developments, the session will examine how research contributes to policy, practice, health, society and beyond - and how these contributions can be meaningfully assessed.

The webinar is based on work prepared by Kathryn Graham and Stephen Hanney, commissioned by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Stephen Hanney will lead the session and share reflections from the evolution of the field, including practical lessons, international examples and future directions. In this 60-minute session, the participants will explore:

Why research impact matters and the many ways it can be understood

How research impact assessment has evolved across sectors and countries

Practical frameworks and methods used internationally

How impact assessment can support accountability, advocacy, learning and strategic investment

The growing importance of engaged research and productive interactions with decision-makers and communities

Emerging opportunities, including methodological innovation, global research reforms and the role of AI

The webinar is open to all, and especially relevant for:

Professionals working in knowledge translation, evidence-informed policymaking, implementation research, and health policy & systems research;

Government and public administration officials;

Researchers and Research managers;

Funding organizations and evidence-to-policy platforms (e.g., EVIPNet);

Civil society and international agencies, including colleagues across WHO’s three levels;

Others interested in strengthening the translation of research into meaningful societal outcomes and public value.

More information

Date & Time: Friday, 26 June 2026 | 13:00–14:00 CEST (Geneva)

Platform: Zoom

Language: English (with live captions)

Registration: Please register here

Further information: Visit our website

Feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and networks who may be interested

Registration: https://ucl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gjsQbXSmQASxlvcTdC-hpQ#/registra...

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HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org

Author: 
Neil Pakenham-Walsh