The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) supported research across 9 thematic areas with some of the more than 140 research final reports generating significant interest by their stakeholders. Three research final reports from different sectors are used to demonstrate stakeholder-specific patterns of access, based on 1) the original engagement and communication plan developed by the researchers, 2) stakeholder activities to promote the research in business, government and the community, 3) proactive and targeted media engagement, 4) media attention and 5) internet access and download patterns for 3 months post publication.

Research for climate adaptation often needs to be readily applicable by the intended information users. Often characterised as end-users, many NCCARF stakeholders have been involved in research projects from the start. These cases are based on documentation across the stages of climate change adaptation research from project inception and stakeholder engagement, to final research report publication and pubic response to findings and recommendations.

The cases demonstrate that a variety of factors influence research impact. Early stakeholder involvement was significant in industry and government based research where known contacts are seen as trusted information sources. In contrast, dissemination of findings regarding public health issues were greatly affected by external events such as heat waves, which influenced media attention, requests for interviews with researchers and long term public access patterns for reports.