From science to policy: A multilevel framework for measuring institutional policy influence through Overton

Abstract

This study presents a multilevel framework to assess the policy influence of academic institutions using Overton as a primary data source. Focusing on the University of Granada, we applied a mixed-method approach that integrates Overton policy mentions, OpenAlex topic modelling, and bibliometric analysis. Results show a significant increase in policy engagement since 2010, particularly in health, physical, and social sciences, with mentions from key governmental and intergovernmental organisations such as WHO, OECD, and the European Union. The study quantifies the university’s visibility in policy documents, classifies citations by scientific domain and issuer type, maps 1,145 policy-relevant research topics to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and identifies seven researchers whose work aligns with Spain’s Urban Agenda. The findings demonstrate the value of Overton for both descriptive and strategic evaluation of institutional impact, offering a replicable methodology to trace science-policy linkages and inform research governance practices in alignment with societal needs.