Understanding impact in creative practice research. Exploring the effectiveness of the practice-based doctoral training on industry and pedagogical approaches

The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the first insights of the research undertaken within DAP_r - Design and Architecture Practice research - a project funded by the Australian Office for Learning and Teaching and led by RMIT University (Melbourne, AU). The research focuses on the impact and contribution that doctoral training has on professional practice and pedagogical approaches in Creative Practice Research. The research work starts from surveying and evaluating the effectiveness of doctoral training on the two realms, moving from the assumption of the interaction and mutual nourishment between practice, research and teaching. The paper firstly identifies the need for a comprehension of the complex and multi-layered nature of the concept of impact, showing an overview of meanings within different contexts. An exploration of the sense that impact has in Creative Practice Research is then presented with the aim to contextualise the concept, exploring its specificities and perspectives within the field. The paper finally shows initial insights, purposes and expectations for the research work recently started within the DAP_r project.