Real World Impact

Whilst we are pleased to share the latest results for ImpactFactors, CiteScore and other metrics for our journals on the journal homepages, Emerald also recognises that citations, as traditional markers of influence, do not tell the full story of research impact. That is why Emerald is committed to championing real world impact and working with our global author network to publish research which makes a difference and delivers positive change in the real world.



Emerald firmly believe that real world impact is far more than citations. It’s about making a difference. It’s communities joining together to find ways to make changes. Impact is the provable effects of research in the real world. 


Impact is one of the most talked about subjects in research, with so many differing viewpoints of what it means and how you measure it. In a sector increasingly full of pressure and expectation, we recognise the challenges faced in connecting research to impact. We also believe as a publisher we have a responsibility to drive forward the belief that research should not just exist on the page, but come to life through real world change.The industry has long relied on metrics such as citations as an indicator of relevance within academia. 


More information is available on Emerald's Real Impact statement. We invite you to join our conversations, have your say in our blogs, read our toolkits, and download our resources to help bring your research to life. Together we can make a difference!