Challenging impact: Lessons learned from delivering a Research Impact Challenge at the American University of Sharjah

This session will explore the development, launch and reception of AUS Library’s Research Impact Challenge series. This Challenge initially launched in 2022 in a LibGuide-based format, before being redeveloped to be an asynchronous e-learning course built using Rise 360. Based on Stacy Konkiel’s 30-Day Impact Challenge e-book (https://stacykonkiel.org/publication/konkiel-30-day-2014/), the AUS Research Impact Challenge modules explore seven essential topics of research impact for modern-day researchers.

Module topics are: Scholarly Identity, Social Medias, Develop your CV and Website, Publishing in Journals and Books, Open Access Publishing, Metrics and Altmetrics, and What is your Impact? Each module features videos, knowledge checks, and other interactive medias to make it an engaging yet succinct experience for time-sensitive graduate students and faculty.

Although the course can be completed at any time, during the Spring semester the Library promotes the Research Impact Challenge. Graduate students and faculty who register will receive daily email reminders, and are invited to attend workshops that correspond to the individual module topics.

There will be a live demonstration of the tool, during which feedback and discussion of content and format will be welcomed.