Abstract: Achieving societal impact of research, as an important driver for continuous improvement and innovation in policy and practice, is a hot topic around the globe. Research funding agencies can contribute to this by ensuring value in research and assess the impact. Wendy Reijmerink provides insight in how the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) has taken up this role. Since this is work in progress and shared responsibility in all scientific fields of expertise and societal sectors, both national and international, the audience is invited to further elaborate and collaborate on how to maximise impact and societal value of (health) research. See also: gallery.mailchimp.com/7fa42547078f2cac7d96896f5/files/54710d19-6a40-4f27-a8c9-c3a15a010a59/Wendy_paper.pdf

Biography: Wendy Reijmerink is senior staff member Strategy and Innovation at The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, ZonMw. ZonMw funds health research and healthcare innovation and stimulates the application of the new knowledge. As projectleader Societal impact of research programming she is responsible for developing a conceptual framework to evaluate knowledge into action interventions. Wendy set up the unique ZonMw research-on-research programme Fostering Responsible Research Practices, to encourage more relevance, scientific quality, integrity and efficiency in research processes in order to add value to both science and society. See www.zonmw.nl/en/research-and-results/fundamental-research/programmas/programme-detail/fostering-responsible-research-practices. Before joining ZonMw in 2010, Wendy worked many years at the Dutch Ministry of Health as public health officer and senior advisor research policy and knowledge management. She also works as lecturer and researcher Public Management at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Wendy studied Andragology, Sociology and Strategic Management at Utrecht University.