In 2019 Research England commissioned SQW, supported by City-REDI, to undertake a study examining the potential theory-based approaches that Research England could implement as part of the next overall evaluation of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Such theory-based approaches had not previously been implemented systematically or at a national level in a UK knowledge exchange (KE) context and were therefore considered novel. The aim was to consider potential approach/approaches that can complement quantitative evidence on the outcomes and impacts HEIF funding is generating (i.e. the ‘what’), with systematic and robust evidence on the mechanisms by which HEIF-funded activities lead to these outcomes/impacts (i.e. the ‘how’)
