Deep dive analysis demonstrates global impact of UK research

In an initial assessment of the nature, scale and beneficiaries of the impact of UK universities' research, investigators at King's College London say the benefits are multi-impactful and have been felt globally, across all nations, in findings published today. The Policy Institute at King's, in collaboration with the Department of Digital Humanities, used a mixture of text mining techniques and qualitative analysis to interrogate 6, 679 non-redacted 'impact case studies' submitted to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. The case studies outline claimed changes and benefits to the economy, society culture, public policy and services, health, the environment and quality of life. Today's assessment illustrates the contribution that universities make to society in a way that has not been revealed before. Professor Jonathan Grant, Director of the Policy Institute at King's, said: 'The overwhelming impression from our analysis of the impact case studies is of the quality, range and expertise of academic research in the UK and the benefits to communities around the world.' The team identified 60 impact areas in which research influenced society, such as climate change, film and theatre, clinical guidance and international development. One of the clearest observations was the diverse range of contributions made to society over the past 20 years, the results of which were demonstrated in a 'heat map'. The largest impact topic was research that informed government policy, a surprising revelation against a prevailing perception that researchers mostly influence policy through personal and informal channels.