PA launches campaign to highlight academic publishers and 'impactful' scientific research

The Publishers Association (PA) has launched its Research Impact Campaign, which focuses on three short videos about "impactful" scientific research developed in the UK and disseminated by publishers.

The aim of the campaign is to champion the UK’s scientific output and showcase why it is "one of the best places in the world" for academic research. It also highlights the role that academic publishers play in supporting the research community.

The research featured in the videos covers topics such as the economics of the green energy transition, technology in elite women’s football and quantum physics. The research papers are published in journals from Springer Nature, Elsevier and IOPP.

In the videos, researchers from Oxford, Cambridge and St Mary’s universities explain their research and talk about how publishing has helped increase its impact.

“The UK is renowned for its academic prowess, and we’re delighted to launch the Research Impact Campaign to further spotlight some of the brilliant work being done by researchers and their publishers," said Dan Conway, c.e.o. of the PA. "Research in the UK is truly moving the needle around the world, and actively changing the world we live in for the better. I hope this campaign inspires and drives awareness of these achievements.”

Antonia Seymour, president of the PA and c.e.o. of IOP Publishing, added: “The UK’s universities and researchers are world-leading and academic publishing is a key partner in the research ecosystem. Every day, in academic institutions across the UK, researchers are carrying out incredible work that has the potential to positively impact our lives. We hope that the Research Impact campaign will emphasise the role academic publishing plays in expanding the reach of that research.”

The Research Impact Campaign will be promoted by the PA throughout 2024 as part of the wider Value of Publishing campaign.