How to effectively explain why my research is important? I gave a presentation on my PhD research at university last week, and it was criticised for lacking practical significance. A different comment suggested the presentation was not placed in context. Could somebody provide some advice on how to place research in context and convey its practical significance? How can I effectively assess who/what/where/when will see the benefits of my research?
Ask yourself a number of questions:


Why am I doing the research?
What problem am I solving?
Why should anyone else by interested in this research? 
How can my results help solve someone else's problem?


The first two questions will help you understand what you are doing from your own personal perspective, as well as establishing the context of the work. The latter two will help you establish why someone else would be interested in your work. 

In short, ask What? and So what? about your work.