Over the past few years the idea that academic research should prove that it has had ‘impact’ on the broader, non-academic community has gained considerable momentum, with applications for RCUK grants now having to outline the ways in which such impact will be achieved, and research funding for departments depending, in part, on evidence of impact. Given that current PhD students will look to join an academic world where impact is part of the environment, the aim of this workshop was to introduce students to the concept of impact, how its use varies between different funding bodies, as well as outlining particular methods they might use to engage with non-academic audiences and build an impact profile for their research.