Why the future of academic publishing “must be impact-focused”

Bristol University Press (BUP) has released an Impact Report, showcasing the Press’s role in advancing global knowledge and public policy around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report “highlights a year of transformative publishing, widespread open access engagement and growing international influence”.

In a year where only 17% of the UN’s SDGs are on track globally, BUP says it “is reaffirming its commitment to publishing rigorous research and accessible commentary addressing today’s most pressing challenges from poverty and gender inequality to peace, justice and climate action. One of the Press’ foremost aims is to get the publications into the hands of those who can make a difference.”

Some examples of the impact of BUP’s SDG focused publishing include: 

• SDG1 – No Poverty: The Academics Stand Against Poverty UK 2024 manifesto audit free to download ahead of the UK election, alongside a Transforming Society blog series to inform the electorate about the political parties’ stance and actions on poverty. 
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Research from the Journal of Gender-Based Violence has been cited in policy documents by organisations such as the UN, EU and various governments, contributing to initiatives aimed at improving the safety of women and girls.
• SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: The BUP book Older Workers in Transition has been cited in multiple policy documents, including the OECD’s Promoting Better Career Choices for Longer Working Lives report which will influence policy change.
• SDG10 – Reduced Inequalities: Bristol University Press became the first publisher to sign the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations, committing to amplify African scholarship and knowledge systems in global research. This includes commissioning more work led by African scholars and aligning publishing practices with the Charter’s principles.
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Our Policy and Practice Short Cyberflashing: Recognising Harms, Reforming Laws contributed to policy change in Northern Ireland, where cyberflashing and upskirting became specific criminal offences within a year of publication.

BUP’s SDG-focused publishing in numbers:

• Over 65% of BUP’s titles addressed global social challenges aligned with the SDGs.
• Nearly 40% of authors published so far in our open access Global Social Challenges Journal are based in the Global South — and rising.
• There have been over 4 million open access downloads for BUP content across 195 countries.
• We have seen a 53% increase in media coverage with authors actively contributing to public discourse.

“Our publishing must do more than disseminate research — it must challenge injustice, support equity and sustainability, and ultimately, contribute to real-world change,” said Alison Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Bristol University Press. “This report is evidence of our growing impact and ongoing commitment to meaningful publishing that is making a difference.”

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