The British Library is to hold an event on research impact as part of its series Talk Science, where the audience is an important part of the discussion.

At a session in London on 19 June, a panel chaired by Research Fortnight’s founder William Cullerne Bown will tackle issues such as what is meant by research impact; whether it is measurable; and if all impact is equal.

Panel members include Douglas Kell, chief executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; Nick Tyler, head of civil, environmental and geomatic engineering at University College London; Geraint Rees, director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, UCL; and and Chris Hale, deputy director of policy at Universities UK.

Some of the topics to be considered include:

• What do we mean by research impact and can we ever truly measure it?

• Is all impact equal? How are different forms assessed and weighted?

• How does impact fit into the UK’s policy and research agendas?

• Is measuring impact about improvement to society or solely economic return on public investment?

The event will run from 18.20 to 20.30 on the 19th June, and attendance will cost just £5.

To book your place please visit the event page on the British Library website: http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event131442.html