What are policy citations and how can I use them?
Answer
What are policy citation metrics?
Policy citation metrics measure how academic research influences public policy by tracking citations of scholarly work in:
-
Government reports
-
White papers
-
Policy documents from think tanks, NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations
These metrics offer a way to understand how research contributes to real-world decision-making—from shaping public services and legal frameworks to influencing health, education, or environmental policy.
Why should I use policy citation metrics?
Policy citations help demonstrate the societal relevance of your work. They can be used to:
-
Showcase societal impact
Evidence how your research is helping to address real-world challenges or inform public debate. -
Support funding or impact case studies
Highlight practical applications of your research to strengthen grant proposals, REF submissions, or institutional reporting. -
Understand your research’s reach
Track how and where your work is cited in non-academic contexts. -
Identify engagement opportunities
Spot government bodies or policy organisations referencing your work—potential leads for collaboration, consultancy, or public engagement.
When used responsibly, policy citation data can help build a richer picture of how research connects with the wider world.
How can I access policy citation metrics?
Policy citations can be explored using Overton.io—the world’s largest database of policy documents that cite academic research. Overton covers:
-
National and international government publications
-
Reports from think tanks, NGOs, and IGOs
-
Sources from over 180 countries and 1,000+ organisations
With Overton, you can:
-
Search for policy documents citing your work (by author, DOI, or institution)
-
Explore citations by geography, sector, or publisher
-
Identify documents where your work has had a policy influence
See our Overton guidance for help getting started.
If you require further assistance please contact the Office for Open Research