Overton Database Sheds Light on Research Influence at Unicamp and Embrapa

In Brazil’s dynamic higher-education and research landscape, measuring the real-world influence of academic work on public policy has long presented challenges. A recent analysis using the Overton database has provided fresh insights into how research from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) shapes policy documents. This exploratory assessment highlights pathways through which scientific contributions reach policymakers, offering valuable perspectives for researchers, administrators, and those tracking societal impact.

Understanding the Overton Approach to Policy Impact

The Overton database aggregates millions of policy documents from governments, international organizations, and think tanks worldwide. It allows researchers to trace citations from academic publications to these documents, revealing connections that traditional citation metrics often miss. For institutions like Unicamp and Embrapa, this tool opens doors to quantifying influence beyond academic journals.

Researchers at Unicamp’s Laboratory for Studies on the Organization of Research and Innovation (Lab-GEOPI) collaborated with Embrapa colleagues to apply this method. The focus centered on agricultural research, a sector central to Brazil’s economy and food security. By examining how Embrapa’s outputs appear in policy texts, the team gained a clearer picture of downstream effects.

Background on Key Brazilian Institutions

Unicamp, located in Campinas, São Paulo state, stands as one of Brazil’s leading public universities with strong programs in science, technology, and innovation studies. Its Lab-GEOPI has long examined the organization of research and its broader effects. Embrapa, established in 1973 under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, operates as a public company dedicated to agricultural research and innovation. It maintains centers across the country and has driven significant productivity gains in Brazilian farming.

These institutions operate within Brazil’s regulatory framework, including oversight from bodies such as the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes). Their work aligns with national priorities outlined in plans from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Study’s Methodology and Scope

The analysis drew on Overton’s collection of policy documents to identify references to Embrapa-affiliated publications. The team, led by researcher Thais Dibbern, conducted an exploratory review focusing on contributions appearing in official texts. This approach complements traditional bibliometric tools by emphasizing policy uptake rather than purely academic citations.

Data covered a range of policy areas, with particular attention to agriculture, environment, and rural development. The method allowed identification of both direct citations and broader patterns of influence across Brazilian and international documents.

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Key Findings from the Overton Analysis

Results indicated that Embrapa research features in numerous policy documents, extending influence into areas beyond core agriculture. Connections appeared in texts addressing sustainability, climate adaptation, and rural policy. The study underscored how local Brazilian research integrates into domestic policymaking, sometimes alongside international contributions.

Complementary data from Embrapa’s own reporting reinforces these observations. The institution’s Social Report 2025 noted that every real invested in its activities generates approximately R$27.12 in returns to society, reflecting broad economic and social benefits tied to its research outputs.

Implications for Research Evaluation in Brazilian Higher Education

This work contributes to ongoing discussions about how Brazilian universities and research organizations assess impact. Traditional metrics centered on journal publications and citations provide one view; policy-oriented tools like Overton add another dimension. For administrators at institutions such as Unicamp, these insights support more nuanced reporting to funding bodies including Capes and CNPq.

The findings also inform strategies for strengthening ties between research and policy. By mapping specific pathways, researchers can identify opportunities to enhance relevance and accessibility of their outputs to decision-makers.

Broader Context of Agricultural Research and Policy in Brazil

Brazil’s agricultural sector has undergone transformation supported by sustained public investment in research. Embrapa’s contributions have helped raise productivity while addressing local ecological conditions. Policy documents frequently reference such research when shaping programs on food security, biofuels, and environmental management.

Unicamp’s involvement through Lab-GEOPI adds an academic lens, bridging university-based inquiry with applied outcomes at Embrapa. This partnership exemplifies collaborative models common in Brazil’s research ecosystem.

Challenges in Measuring Policy Influence

Despite the advantages of databases like Overton, limitations remain. Not all policy documents are digitized or indexed, and citation practices vary. The exploratory nature of the study means results represent a starting point rather than exhaustive measurement. Researchers continue to refine methods to capture indirect influences and long-term effects.

Language considerations also arise, as many Brazilian policy texts appear in Portuguese while global databases may emphasize English-language sources. Ongoing efforts aim to improve coverage of regional documents.

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Future Outlook and Opportunities

As Brazil advances its science and technology agenda, tools for tracking research-policy linkages will grow in importance. Institutions may integrate Overton-style analyses into routine evaluation processes, supporting accountability to taxpayers and alignment with national development goals.

Expanded use could benefit PhD candidates and early-career researchers seeking to demonstrate societal relevance in grant applications or career advancement. It may also guide administrators in prioritizing research themes with strong policy potential.

Practical Takeaways for Stakeholders

University leaders can explore similar analyses to benchmark their institution’s policy reach. Researchers might review their own publication portfolios against policy databases to identify untapped connections. Policymakers, in turn, gain clearer visibility into the evidence base supporting their decisions.

These developments underscore the value of investing in research infrastructure that extends beyond laboratories into the policy arena.