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Demonstrating the “so what?” of researchResearch impact stories typically describe how academic research findings have produced tangible benefits that influence society, the economy, public health, the environment, or the wider cultural milieu. They combine qualitative (e.g., testimonials, news coverage, policy examples) and quantitative evidence (e.g., metrics such as patent citations, policy citations, media counts) in structured narratives that highlight what has been pithily described as the “so what?” of research. Many impact stories draw on classic storytelling techniques evolved to describe very different societal challenges – notably quests or the removal of troublesome monsters – in order to evoke emotion, foster empathy and drive action. In more contemporary forms, these narratives are used by researchers in institutional assessments and funding applications, and by funders to justify public investment, promote accountability and inform future strategies.Although for much of the twentieth century researchers and policy makers theoretically worked in separate silos, an approach formulated in the well-known Haldane Principle, the two have gradually moved toward a more directly collaborative model. This shift first appeared as a response to global conflicts and Cold War-era national security concerns, then accelerated with the emergence of the first knowledge-based economies in the 1990s. By the 2010s, the concept of mission-oriented research – where government funding efforts are focused on addressing large-scale challenges like climate change, pandemics, or food insecurity – was already gaining traction. As a result, the communication of research impact is now crucial not just as a means of evaluating agency or university performance, but as a way of authenticating societal progress and maintaining democratic transparency around state-supported academic work. At a time when the wider role of academia is under intense discussion, with some commentators calling for a new social contract for the sector, bridging the “so what gap” has rarely been more important.Barriers to successWith the stakes so high, it is easy to see why impact storytelling has become a core skillset for government funding bodies. However, three types of barriers still prevent organizations from articulating the full extent of their influence on society:
