Beyond academic rankings: demonstrating the full value and impact of universities
4th Generation Universities will become orchestrators of regional innovation ecosystems, writes Aleks Subic
Universities are powerhouses of knowledge, talent, and discovery; it is imperative that they are able to demonstrate the value and impact they make. Traditional metrics (such as research volume and academic citations) and traditional university rankings that are based on such measures are no longer able to effectively demonstrate what universities are good for to satisfy policymakers, funders, or the broader public.
Society is shifting fast, which inevitably affects universities: new and emerging technologies, demographic and socio-political pressures, health inequities, and sustainability challenges are reshaping our economies and societies, while public trust in institutions is fragile. Universities aren’t just expected to teach and research; we’re expected to solve real problems, spark commercial innovation, and support our local communities. In other words, our value can’t just be demonstrated through the research we publish in academic journals; it must also demonstrate the genuine measurable contributions we make to society overall – whether that is through spinouts, practical applications of our research, creating stronger local innovation ecosystems and widening opportunities for people from all backgrounds. This is where the 4th Generation University model comes in.
Why the 4th Generation University model matters
In response to this shift, a network of global partners has been working together to define and develop the 4th Generation University model – designed for the complexity of the current higher education environment within a changing world. Other university models focus primarily on academic parameters including quality teaching, research excellence, technology transfer and entrepreneurship. But today’s challenges require a more integrated impact-oriented approach. The 4th Generation University model positions universities as central orchestrators of their regional innovation ecosystems, embedded within their regions and deeply connected to industry, government, and communities to drive measurable socio-economic benefits and impact.
Elsevier, as a strategic partner of the 4th Generation University community, is helping us achieve our ambitions for the global community of over 150 universities, by helping co-develop evidence‑based frameworks that measure value in ways that resonate far beyond academia. Co-creating spinouts and supporting business growth and scale-ups, driving graduate employability and social mobility anchored in their regional ecosystems, are good examples of how universities catalyse regional economic development and generate high-value jobs; at a national level, they enhance global competitiveness and reinforce a country’s reputation as a leader in research and education-led innovation.
Our work within the 4th Generation University community has brought together experts from around the world to share best practice, define what it means to be a 4th Generation University, and how universities can use this model to better measure and articulate the broader value they bring to society. We are exploring new frameworks for governance, new indicators to demonstrate outcomes and value, and new ways to effectively partner within regional ecosystems. The 4th Generation University model helps us develop effective strategies and articulate our broader impact, how it is created and realised, and what it is.
From academic activity to impact: what universities must deliver
To demonstrate our value, universities must be clearer about the socio-economic outcomes and impact they generate. The following three areas are especially important to consider:
- Economic value that is locally meaningful
Universities must play a visible role in driving regional growth. This includes establishing innovation districts, supporting business growth, spin-outs and scale‑ups, attracting investment, and strengthening local supply chains. When universities act as catalysts in their local ecosystems, the benefits are tangible: new jobs, higher productivity, and increased prosperity.
- Skills, talent, and opportunity for a changing world
As the pace of technological change accelerates, graduates need more than disciplinary expertise – they need workplace‑ready skills. Universities must collaborate with employers to co-design curricula and provide pathways into high‑value industries, for example, those aligned with the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. At the same time, widening access and participation remains essential. Value is demonstrated not only by the jobs graduates secure but also by how equal these job opportunities are. As AI-driven transformation accelerates across all sectors, existing inequalities may deepen and become more entrenched.
- Societal impact and engagement that builds trust
Whether through social mobility, translational research, input to public policy, or community programs, institutions must show how their expertise improves people’s lives. Demonstrating societal engagement and impact is central to rebuilding public trust and reaffirming universities’ role as civic institutions. Universities must shift focus from measuring what they are good at to what they are good for.
A new ‘social contract’ for universities?
Ultimately, demonstrating value is about honouring the ‘social contract’ between universities and the societies we serve. We have a responsibility and an opportunity to show how our work transforms economies, enriches communities, and expands human potential. The 4th Generation University is not simply a theoretical framework; it is a call for a new kind of leadership. If universities are to be truly empowered to deliver impact and drive regional development, we must redefine our value in ways that meaningfully improve people’s lives.
This is how universities will secure their future and public trust, not through academic prestige alone, but through purpose, partnerships, and proven impact.
Professor Aleks Subic is Chair of the 4th Generation University Community Board, Vice-Chancellor and President of Torrens University Australia