University College Dublin - UCD Impact Officer
Pauline, an impact officer at UCD, participated in the 'Live My Life' project to exchange knowledge and experiences with colleagues from other universities. Being the only impact officer at her institution, she saw this as an opportunity to learn from others, share ideas, and bring back valuable insights to improve her work. She found the exchange incredibly beneficial both professionally and culturally, appreciating the different approaches to research impact, as well as the rich cultural experiences in Bologna.
Pauline valued the project as a way to see how research impact is managed elsewhere. “At my university, I am the only impact officer, so I wanted to meet someone else in the same role to exchange ideas.” With experience in Belgium and the Netherlands, she appreciates the importance of international collaboration: “Meeting colleagues from different countries helps me understand different approaches.”
She found it particularly interesting to compare different institutional strategies for measuring and communicating research impact. "Every university has its own way of approaching impact assessment, and seeing the methodologies used in Bologna was eye-opening. While some aspects are similar to what we do at UCD, others are quite different, and it was useful to reflect on what could be adapted to our context." She also noted the importance of support structures and interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing impact. "I realized that having a strong internal network of researchers, administrators, and external stakeholders is crucial. It’s given me plenty of ideas to bring back home."
With the responsibility of developing and implementing strategies on her own, she was eager to see what others were doing. “This exchange allows me to bring useful practices back to my university. UCD has unique approaches, such as our case study competition, which I was eager to share.”
This was her first job-shadowing experience, and she found it incredibly rewarding. “I’m enjoying it so much! My peer, Mattia, is very knowledgeable and inspiring.” Beyond gaining practical insights, she found that exchanging experiences with someone in the same role helped her feel more connected to a broader professional network. "Often, working in impact can feel quite isolated, especially when you’re the only one in your institution handling these responsibilities. Meeting Mattia and discussing challenges and solutions made me realize thatwe can benefit from our shared experience, and there is so much we can learn from one another."
She also found value in hosting an exchange participant. “Last week, Mattia was in UCD, and through our interactions, I gained insights beneficial for my own university. It’s easy to focus on daily tasks and lose sight of the bigger picture, so this exchange has been refreshing.” Hosting a colleague allowed her to see her own institution from an external perspective. “When you explain your processes to someone new, you start to reflect more critically on them. It was a great exercise in self-assessment, and it helped me see areas where we could improve or refine our approach.”
Beyond the professional exchange, Pauline was fascinated by the cultural aspects of her time in Bologna. She was particularly struck by the historic architecture of the University of Bologna, with its grand palazzos, intricate wooden panels, and impressive courtyards. “Walking through Via Zamboni and seeing the rector’s office with its beautiful artwork on the ceilings was breathtaking. Everything here feels so historic and full of character.”
She also embraced Italian customs, from adjusting her coffee habits—“I’ve learned that ordering a cappuccino after lunch isn’t the Italian way! But I’m really enjoying espresso now and might keep the habit back in Ireland”—to indulging in the local cuisine. “I tried gramigna pasta and panna cotta, and both were absolutely delicious.” More than anything, she appreciated the warm hospitality and noticed surprising similarities between Irish and Italian cultures. “At the end of the day, I think Italians and Irish people are quite alike—friendly, welcoming, and always happy to share a good meal.”
Pauline’s enthusiasm for the 'Live My Life' project highlights the value of international exchanges for both professional growth and cultural enrichment. The experience in Bologna has provided her with new perspectives, valuable connections, and a deeper understanding of academic cultures across Europe.