Dimensions of Impact in the Social Sciences: The Case of Social Policy, Sociology and Political Science Research

Impact has become a central part of the assessment criteria for academic worth. However, a clear definition of impact remains elusive and guidance on how exactly to achieve it is often superficial. This concise, informative book analyzes impact across the social sciences. It draws on the analysis of the most highly-ranked British impact case studies from the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, as well as fifteen interviews with senior academics, providing a critical framing of the idea of impact. The author concludes with valuable recommendations of how and when scholars can achieve impact.