Springer Nature has released a new report that has provided the most comprehensive evidence so far on how academic research has influenced policy linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Published during the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30), the report, produced in partnership with Overton, draws on more than 12 million policy documents from around the world. It is presented as the first large-scale study to examine how research is cited within SDG-related policy, shifting attention from what research discusses to how it is used to support evidence, justify recommendations, or inform policy directions.
The analysis finds that SDG policy documents appear to cite academic research more frequently than non-SDG policy1 documents, indicating a close connection between scholarly work and policymaking on global issues such as health, climate, and social development. Open access articles are cited in policy almost a year earlier on average than articles that are not open access. Although reviews, letters, and news articles make up a smaller share of overall academic output, these formats are cited heavily in policy, suggesting that concise and accessible content has particular influence.
The report highlights the role of intermediary organizations in moving research into policy. Think tanks, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) are shown to cite research more often than governments, positioning these bodies as important knowledge brokers in the policy process.
Inclusive journals2 are also notable in the findings. They are slightly more likely than selective journals to be cited in SDG policy, indicating that all relevant, validated research has the potential to inform policy regardless of the prestige level of the journal in which it is published.
Geographical patterns in the data show that 78% of research cited in SDG policy involves authors based only in countries in the Global North. In contrast, countries in the Global South infrequently cite domestic research in their national policy, with India and Brazil identified as key exceptions where domestic research is used more prominently.
Alongside the analysis, Springer Nature and Overton outline practical recommendations for researchers, publishers, and institutions to strengthen the link between evidence and policymaking on urgent global challenges. These recommendations include continued expansion of open access to support knowledge exchange and problem solving, prioritization of policy-ready content that goes beyond traditional research papers to improve communication with decision makers, and further development of partnerships across the knowledge ecosystem so that research outputs are more effectively aligned with policymakers’ needs.
The report also underscores the importance of access to robust, peer-reviewed, and up-to-date research for institutions involved in producing impartial briefings for legislators on sustainable development issues. Such organizations require reliable evidence to create concise syntheses on topics ranging from climate resilience and public health to education and social policy, and this material is presented as essential for shaping laws that reflect the interests and needs of affected populations.
Overall, the analysis presents a detailed picture of where research is currently influencing SDG-related policy and where gaps in usage persist, providing a data-driven basis for efforts to improve the integration of scientific evidence into policy frameworks worldwide.
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