Making a difference with impact

Oxford social science research creates impact in many fields beyond academia and our social scientists make a significant difference in people's lives locally and across the globe. We regularly exchange expertise, knowledge and insights with a wide range of organisations, groups and people, helping to improve society and the economy on many fronts and contributing to key debates among the wider population. 

Our impact on policymaking is particularly extensive, both within the UK and beyond. Our researchers regularly advise international governments and multi-lateral agencies, UK government departments and local government authorities, as well as working with intermediary non-governmental organisations that lobby and encourage policy change. 

Impact stories from Oxford social sciences

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Social Sciences Impact Conference 2026

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Changing the world, together: celebrating social sciences collaborations making a difference

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Six Oxford social science researchers awarded at prestigious 2023 ESRC Impact Awards

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Social Sciences and BBC Ideas launch four new short films in partnership

Researchers describe their impact journeys

Explore our impact by research theme

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Leveraging economic theory to improve outcomes for resettled refugees: Annie™ MOORE

Dr Velda Elliott and Dr Zaahida Nabagereka sit side by side, smiling and holding books by authors of colour

Lit in Colour

A partnership with Penguin Books and the Runnymede Trust
Hannah Budnitz car sharing

Low-carbon transport solutions with electric car clubs

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Making fairer decisions: The bias detection tool developed at Oxford and implemented by Amazon

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Mapping the value of nature for people

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Maximising decision making, effectiveness, and accountability at the Criminal Cases Review Commission

Explore our impact by type

Every day, all over the world, research from the Social Sciences Division is making a difference to communities, to policymakers, and to industry, helping them to tackle some of the society's biggest challenges. You can explore the selection of impact stories below offer to discover some of the different ways in which our research is making difference in the world.

Taken from behind as an adult holds a child's hand. Together they face an out-of-focus tent in the background

Leveraging economic theory to improve outcomes for resettled refugees: Annie™ MOORE

Dr Velda Elliott and Dr Zaahida Nabagereka sit side by side, smiling and holding books by authors of colour

Lit in Colour

A partnership with Penguin Books and the Runnymede Trust
Hannah Budnitz car sharing

Low-carbon transport solutions with electric car clubs

sandra wachter internet institute2

Making fairer decisions: The bias detection tool developed at Oxford and implemented by Amazon

land use

Mapping the value of nature for people

A wooden gavel and block

Maximising decision making, effectiveness, and accountability at the Criminal Cases Review Commission

Our Impact Awards and Conferences

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Social Sciences Impact Conference 2026

Impact Awards 2025

Social Sciences Impact Awards 2025

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Hope into Action: researchers, stakeholders and partners come together for inspiring Social Sciences Impact Conference 2023

O²RB Excellence in Impact Awards, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, 19th October 2021, #O2RBImpactAwards Supported by the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account

O²RB Excellence in Impact Awards 2021

Further information

Oxford ESRC Impact Acceleration Account

ESRC Impact Acceleration Account

Providing flexible funding options to support engagement with all sectors, activities at every stage of development, and researchers at any point in their career.
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Oxford Impacts

The Oxford Impacts series celebrates the range of impacts the University has on the world of policy, health, business and culture.
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Impact films

Leading academic researchers, across a range of subjects, talk about why their research matters to society and what they've learned through taking their research into the community.

Research impact support and advice

Our approach to embedding and enhancing research impact across the Social Sciences Division has been highly successful in the last ten years, with the volume of research awards continuing to rise and the development of a large number of research centres and groupings. Researchers at Oxford receive significant support and guidance in the development of their research, including research and impact funding, research project design and management, and research outputs from academic and administrative colleagues across the University, division and departments. 

If you are a researcher at Oxford, please visit our Support for Researchers page to find out more.

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RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

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COLLABORATION AND ENGAGEMENT

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INNOVATION

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SUPPORT FOR RESEARCHERS

Who can help me?

If you are interested to learn more about social sciences research impact and opportunities to engage with Oxford social scientists - whether in relation to public policy, industry collaboration, or public and community engagement - please get in touch below:
Aileen Marshall-Brown

Aileen Marshall-Brown

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Sam Harper

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Rebecca Jones

Alex Martalogu

Alexandru Martalogu

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Juliet Scott-Barrett