From Research to Policy: Exploring the Impact of UKRI-Funded Research on Policymaking

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests significant taxpayer funds in research, making it essential to demonstrate societal returns. One direct way to assess this is by examining how funded research informs policymaking. However, quantifying the link between research and policy impact remains challenging.
This study explores how research funded by UKRI's seven Research Councils from 2012 to 2022 influenced policy development. It assesses (i) the extent of research cited in policy, (ii) which policies benefited most, (iii) the policy areas most influenced, and (iv) whether academic citations drive policymaking.
The findings reveal considerable variation in policy impact across disciplines. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) achieved the highest policy citations, while councils like EPSRC and STFC had lower rates, suggesting policy citations alone may not capture societal returns in all fields. Government policies were the primary beneficiaries, receiving over half of all cited research. Additionally, there was alignment between research focus and policy areas, although emerging interdisciplinary trends could reshape these boundaries.
The study also finds that policymakers tend to rely on highly cited academic papers, with a significant portion of cited research ranking in the top 10% of citation percentiles within their fields. This raises questions about the role of academic citations in shaping evidence-based policymaking. While policy citations are valuable, they may not fully capture societal impact across all disciplines. Further research is needed to refine impact metrics and better understand the dynamics between research, policy, and society.