Explainer · Plain-language
Research Impact: Definition, Meaning & Examples | CASRAI
Research impact is the demonstrable contribution that research makes beyond — and within — academia: advancing knowledge (academic impact) and producing benefits to the economy, society, culture, policy, health, the environment, or quality of life (societal impact). In the UK it is formally assessed in the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
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Academic vs societal impact
Academic impact is the influence research has on its own field — advancing theory, methods, or understanding, often visible through citations and uptake by other researchers. Societal (or wider) impact is the benefit or change research brings outside academia: shaping policy, improving clinical practice, informing public debate, generating economic value, or benefiting the environment and culture. The two are related but distinct, and many funders now ask explicitly about both.
How impact is assessed: the REF
In the UK, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) assesses universities partly on the wider impact of their research, alongside output quality and research environment. Impact is evidenced through impact case studies — narratives that trace a clear line from specific underpinning research to demonstrable effects beyond academia — which are peer-reviewed and contribute to the funding and reputation outcomes of the exercise.
Evidencing impact
Because impact often unfolds over years and through many actors, it can be hard to attribute and measure. Evidence ranges from quantitative indicators to qualitative testimony: changes in policy or guidelines, adoption by practitioners, economic figures, reach and engagement data, and stakeholder accounts. Altmetrics can show attention and early reach, but attention is not the same as genuine impact.
Impact and responsible assessment
Valuing societal impact is part of the wider move towards responsible research assessment. Frameworks such as DORA and CoARA, and narrative-CV formats, encourage recognising diverse contributions — including engagement, knowledge mobilisation, and real-world benefit — rather than judging researchers solely on publication and citation metrics.
Key facts
At a glance
- Two senses: academic impact and societal (wider) impact
- Societal: effects on policy, health, economy, culture, environment
- UK assessment: Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact case studies
- Evidence: case-study narratives, indicators, stakeholder testimony
- Attention ≠ impact: altmetrics show reach, not benefit
- Aligned with: DORA, CoARA, responsible-assessment principles
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: Research impact just means how many citations a paper gets.
Actually: No — citations capture academic influence, but research impact also covers societal benefit: effects on policy, practice, the economy, and society. Frameworks such as the REF assess this wider impact separately from the quality of the underpinning research.
Often heard: A high altmetric or media score proves research impact.
Actually: No — attention and reach are not the same as genuine impact. A paper can attract coverage through novelty or controversy without producing a demonstrable benefit; impact requires evidence of real-world change.
Going deeper
