What is research impact?
We all aspire to make a difference in the world we live in, and quality research is integral to bringing about positive change. Find out more about the different ways that research can have an impact and how your own work can contribute to the process.
What is research impact?
Research impact is defined by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy.
Put simply, it’s how research benefits society and the economy.
Though usage metrics and citations are key performance indicators for an article and play a part in helping your work to be seen, research impact is not solely defined by citation numbers, usage figures or social media engagement.
Creating research impact means getting your work into the hands of those who can use it to contribute to making the world a better place.
In that sense, there are many ways to categorize research impact, and these factors often overlap. The 2012 working group report from the European Science Foundation outlines the following main impact categories:
Scientific Impact
Contributions to the subsequent progress of knowledge, the formation of disciplines, training and capacity building.
Technological impact
Contributions to the creation of product, process and service innovations.
Economic Impact
Contributions to the sale price of products, a firm’s costs and revenues (micro level), and economic returns either through economic growth or productivity growth (macro level).
Social Impact
Contributions to community welfare, quality of life, behavior, practices and activities of people and groups.
Political Impact
Contributions to how policy makers act and how policies are constructed and to political stability.
Environmental Impact
Contributions to the management of the environment, for example natural resources, environmental pollution, climate and meteorology.
Health Impact
Contributions to public health, life expectancy, prevention of illnesses and quality of life.
Cultural Impact
Contributions to understanding of ideas and reality, values and beliefs.
Training Impact
Contributions to curricula, pedagogical tools, qualifications.
How can your research have an impact?
Impact isn’t something that should be thought about at the end of your research or after publication. From the start of your research project and throughout the research process, ask yourself: what impact could this have? Reflecting on this question and getting very detailed in your answer will provide you with focus and motivation.
It will also influence the decisions you make, enabling you to report on your impact more effectively at the end of your project. Considering research impact upfront will:
- Influence who you collaborate with
- Help identify key stakeholders such as policymakers, to inform the research and the progress made
- Make decisions based on the benefits they could have to society
- Facilitate easier reporting of your research impact by incorporating early considerations and direction into the process.
Share your research with the world
To help your research make an impact, ensure it gets into the hands of those who can use it. Read our guides on how to promote your work after it’s published.
