The truth is you often don’t know who will be reviewing your funding application.

So take Dr. Julia Barzyk's advice: don’t skip the basics before digging into the details of your proposal 👇

Despite how often it’s used in the academic space, research impact can still feel like a vague concept.

So, how can we define research impact?
There are multiple definitions in the US alone.

Let’s dive in…

Want to learn more about the data behind Overton Index and how you can make the most of it?

Join us today at 2:00 PM GMT for another Overton 101 webinar!

Link to register ➡️ us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

What does impact mean to you?
Here’s what it means to Dr Julia Barzyk, @mrstew.bsky.social and Dr Peter Kolarz…

“Creating tangible benefits”
”Affecting concrete and valuable change”
”When people care about research”

Do you agree?
Let us know in the comments!

A huge shout out to our data analyst Kat Hart for her work on this! Using Overton Index, Kat investigated how evidence travels through global policy networks in times of crisis and the patterns that emerge in the research to policy interface.

Find the full piece below ⬇️

Tech Outlook 2026: What Higher Ed Tech Leaders Expect this Year -- Campus Technology We asked higher education technology leaders for their predictions on how the tech landscape will change for colleges and universities in the coming year. Here's what they told us.

“2026 will mark a turning point: Universities that successfully operationalise these systems will set new standards for policy engagement, transparency and research-driven impact.”

Read @mrstew.bsky.social's full statement on his outlook for the year ⬇️

#OvertonGrant: Understanding faculty perceptions towards policy citations Researchers Julie Morris and Andy Herzog discuss their case study of faculty perceptions of policy citations at the University of Minnesota and the University of New Brunswick.

Academia is shifting towards a more responsible research assessment system that accounts for newer metrics, like policy citations.

But what do researchers think about this shift?

Find out in this blog by recipients of Overton's 24/25 Policy Impact Grant 👇

Jonathan Breckon's tips for influencing policy Jonathan Breckon - who's worked for CAPE, NESTA and the Alliance for Useful Evidence - shares his tips for influencing policy with research.

We’re revisiting our conversation with Jonathan Breckon, a research consultant and advocate for evidence, who's previously worked for CAPE, NESTA and the Alliance for Useful Evidence (to name a few).

During our conversation, we spoke a lot about the importance of impact.

Measuring real-world impact: how Boston University uses Overton to capture policy citation data Learn how Senior Research Librarian and Assistant Professor, David Flynn, uses Overton to help individuals and departments across the institution demonstrate how their work influences public policy.

Learn how David Flynn, a Senior Research Librarian at Boston University, use Overton Index to capture policy citation data and measure impact -> www.overton.io/case-studies...

👉 To sign up for a free trial of Overton Index, head to our website: app.overton.io/ui/auth/requ...

Using Overton to build impact dashboards: University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine How University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine use Overton's policy citation database to create impact dashboards

Did you know you can use Overton Index to build policy impact dashboards for your institution?

Read the full case study below to find out how Dr. Ji Guo uses Overton to create impact dashboards, which he disseminates to leadership and faculty at his institution 👇

Here’s five reasons we think all researchers should care about policy engagement…

We figured it might be a good idea to reintroduce ourselves…

We are Overton, and we're on a mission to bridge the gap between research and policy.

In case you missed it, at the end of 2025 Overton Index was recognised in ALA Choice’s 2025 Outstanding Academic Titles Awards!

We’re incredibly proud of this accomplishment and literally can’t stop talking about it (if you couldn’t tell 🤪)

Here’s to more of this in 2026…

Happy new year! We’re back and busy, with THREE more Overton 101 webinars coming your way over the next few months.

Our first webinar - hosted by Inesia Adolph - is on January 22nd at 12pm EDT/UTC-5.

To secure your spot and learn what to expect, click here: www.overton.io/overton-101-...

Last week, the UK’s REF 2029 was unpaused.

The announcement brought guidance updates for UK universities as they prepare to demonstrate the quality of their research.

Hear University of Cambridge librarian, Yvonne Nobis, speak about the importance of REF and how Overton can support preparations.

It’s your last chance to join the final Overton 101 webinar of 2025!

Before you wrap up for the year, join our wonderful product support specialist, Morgan, for an introductory and interactive walkthrough of Overton Index.

Find the details below and stay tuned for future Overton 101s in 2026...

You have TWO days left to apply for our 2025/26 policy impact grant!

Apply today for the chance to receive:

- Up to £5,000 from a total grant fund of £20,000
- Free access to our policy database to aid in your research
- Training and support from our expert team

www.overton.io/policy-impac...

Product Support Specialist - Overton UK Remote role or London based, hybridFull time or Part time (4 days per week) worked flexibly to accommodate evening meetings with clients in the Americas - we are open to different working patterns ...

We’re hiring a product support specialist! (UK remote or London-hybrid, with flexible hours to support clients in the Americas)

Do you have experience working with academic audiences and a passion for helping clients? This role might be for you…

apply.workable.com/overton/j/F3...

How can you write an advanced search query *without* prior knowledge of boolean logic?

The answer is simple…

By using Overton’s advanced query builder.

Say hello to the new and IMPROVED Overton start page!

We’ve completely changed how users can construct searches on Overton and have made it easier to move between the Index and Engage platforms.

Want to learn how universities can build data-driven narratives that connect research to policy outcomes, strengthen reputation, and support funding proposals? Join us on December 8th at 11am EST for our FREE webinar: “Building your impact engine: from policy citations to competitive advantage.”

Are you heading to the Evidence-Based Research Conference?

If you’re in Bergen, be sure to say hi to Helen Ellis and learn how Overton Index helps institutions and researchers track, evidence and grow their policy influence, while empowering decision makers to recognise and use good evidence.

We’re back by popular demand with another Overton 101 webinar!

Join us THIS AFTERNOON (14:00-15:00 UK time) for our next Overton 101 webinar, introducing you to the Overton Index platform and the data that drives it.

Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

We’re sleepless in Seattle…

Because we’re one day away from APPAM 2025!

Stop by booth 412 to learn how Overton can help you get a global view of the policy landscape.

Think your work has the potential to expand our understanding of the policy landscape and how research influences it?

Fund your research by applying to Overton’s 2025/26 policy impact grant!
www.overton.io/policy-impac...

Overton’s data used in Financial Times Business School rankings analysis Overton’s policy citation data was recently used by the Financial Times (FT) for a second year as they examined the policy influence of institutions in their ranking of ‘Business Schools with Impact’.

The @financialtimes.com 'Business Schools with Impact' rankings are out!

We worked with the FT for a second year, providing policy citation data on the institutions influencing policymakers.

Learn more about our analysis here ⬇️
www.overton.io/news/overton...

Hopefully you’ve heard about our new platform Overton Engage (for the uninitiated, it’s a database of policy engagement opportunities which helps experts share their knowledge with policymakers) 👀 🤌

Well, we've got some BIG news. We’re introducing a brand new feature and we’re pretty excited…

We’re proud to have partnered with Sage to create the Sage Policy Profiles tool - built using Overton’s data and developed by our teams to help researchers understand and share their policy impact. You have until November 30th to enter their competition!

#SagePolicyProfiles #PoweredByOverton

As a librarian, are you looking for more ways to support researchers, create impact and engage with policy?

Well, we have some tips for you…

Find out how Virginia Tech use Overton to show the real-world influence of their research.