Making sense of the societal impact of research
27 October, 2026 1pm GMT | 2pm CET | 9am EDT
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Demonstrating the impact of research beyond academia has become an increasingly important priority for universities, research institutions, funders and policymakers. But understanding – and measuring – societal impact is far from straightforward.
Research can influence society in many different ways, from informing public policy and improving healthcare to supporting economic development, changing professional practice and shaping public understanding. No single metric can capture this complexity, and indicators used without sufficient context can result in misleading conclusions.
In this one-hour Research Information webinar, Gordon Rogers, Senior Manager, Data Science at the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Clarivate, will explore how organisations can take a more responsible, evidence-based approach to assessing societal impact.
Drawing on ISI’s work developing the Clarivate Societal Impact Framework, Gordon will discuss the thinking behind the framework, how different forms of societal impact can be categorised and understood, and the role that quantitative indicators can play within a broader assessment process.
The session will also consider the limitations of impact metrics and why quantitative evidence is most valuable when combined with contextual information and expert judgement.
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What will you learn?
During the webinar, Gordon will explore:
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Why measuring the societal impact of research is inherently complex
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How the Clarivate Societal Impact Framework was developed and the thinking behind its approach
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Different ways of categorising and contextualising societal impact
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How institutions can use societal impact indicators responsibly, recognising both their strengths and limitations
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How quantitative evidence can be combined with contextual information and expert judgement
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Practical approaches for institutions seeking to better understand and communicate the wider impact of their research
The webinar will draw on ISI’s ongoing research and practical experience of supporting organisations as they seek to understand, assess and communicate research impact.
Who should attend?
This webinar will be particularly relevant to research managers and administrators, research impact and assessment professionals, institutional research leaders, librarians and information professionals, funders, policymakers, and anyone involved in evaluating or communicating the impact of research.