The societal impact of research

Beyond scientific discoveries, the research conducted at the CNRS transforms our daily lives, influences public policy, and sustains our culture and economy. The Impact Mission created in 2025 describes and analyses all aspects of societal impact — social, cultural, environmental, health, economic, and political — with a view to enlighten public decision makers and citizen debate, among others.

A methodology

Each study traces the “impact pathway” of research:

• Inputs: resources mobilised
• Outputs : scientific productions
• Intermediaries : actors adopting it
• Impact : effects observed on society

This internationally recognized methodology1  combines documentary analyses, quantitative data, and stakeholder interviews. It enables retrospective assessment of earlier research, and prospectively monitors major projects right from their launch.

Emblematic studies

• Scientific effort connected to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (featured with link to study)
• Batteries : study to be published in December 2025

Principles

The Impact Mission is based on four pillars:

• scientific rigour
• transparency
• independence
• dialogue with all stakeholders

Actors of the Impact Mission

• The Impact Mission: leads the effort and coordinates studies
• Researcher collectives: provide their scientific and interdisciplinary expertise
• Scientists, the CNRS and its partners, public decision makers and civil society: result recipients, in order to foster reflection, debate and action

Participate in the Impact Mission’s work

CNRS researchers who are interested can propose case studies or take part in the Impact Mission’s activities.
Please send information requests and collaboration proposals to catherine.dargemont@cnrs.fr

Crédit photo : © Christophe LEBEDINSKY/CNRS Images

• 1Public Agronomic Research Impact Assessment (ASIRPA), developed by INRAE