The Asirpa approach is developed by researchers of INRA (INRAE since 2020)  and aims at analysing the contribution of the research produced by a public research organization to societal impacts

ASIRPA Realtime for real-time analysis of impact trajectories

The question of the disjunction between the time of a research project and the time of impact for society is central. The ASIRPA Realtime approach, under development, draws on the literature concerning sequential models of decision to propose an approach allowing the researchers of the Institute to analyze the path of impact at the different stages of a project, or a research program, with a view to speed up or amplify research impact on society. The approach is co-constructed from the needs expressed by researchers or management in the conduct of projects / programs. Through reflexibility and learning around the questions of innovation and impact, ASIRPA will  reinforce the culture of impact  within the research community of INRAE. 

ASIRPA ex-post to illustrate research contributions to societal impacts

The purpose of the ASIRPA ex-post approach, designed and implemented at INRA, is to analyse qualify and quantify the societal impact of research using a methodology based on standardized case studies. This approach allows us to overcome the limitations of existing methods, be they cost-benefit methods that concentrate mainly on the economic dimension of research, or approaches based on individual case studies that make it very difficult to identify invariants and produce aggregate results. Another objective is to stimulate learning within INRA about impact generating mechanisms.

Combining scientific rigor with feasibility

The ASIRPA approach is based on the realization of case studies according to standardized modalities, and the use of three analytical tools: a chronology, an impact pathway, and an impact vector. By formalizing a systematic framework for data collection, ASIRPA offers the possibility of aggregating the results and exposing a cross-sectional analysis to draw lessons across the Institute. Furthermore, the researchers who used the ASIRPA method testify to the formative dimension of the approach. As a rule, the realization of the case studies gave them a better understanding of the environment in which they operate.

More than 50 case studies to date

The ASIRPA ex-post approach was designed in such a way as to combine scientific rigor and operational efficacy, and the first results have confirmed its validity and pertinence.  Developed as part of a research project, and validated by scientific publications, ASIRPA is an inexpensive approach that is implemented routinely by INRA research departments (50 case studies completed by December 2019- See the list on this site).