Contextualizing social impact assessment: a scoping review and framework proposal

Purpose This study aims to examine the critical role of context in the social impact assessment of research. As research evaluation increasingly demands evidence of social benefits, it is important to understand how to conduct assessments that are sensitive to local knowledge systems and sociocultural contexts. This study addresses the gap between standardized, often decontextualized, evaluation models and the need for more inclusive and equitable approaches. It maps the existing literature to synthesize key approaches and develop a practical framework to guide more responsive and meaningful impact assessments. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a scoping review methodology to map and synthesize the literature on contextualized social impact assessment. A final sample of 62 peer-reviewed papers published between 2015 and 2024 was analyzed using computational lexical analysis (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) and thematic refinement. Findings The analysis revealed three primary themes: (1) participatory and cocreation approaches; (2) contextual integration of regional epistemologies; and (3) stakeholder-oriented governance models. Current approaches often lack mechanisms for sustained participation and are not well-suited to diverse sociocultural contexts. To address these gaps, a conceptual framework is proposed, consisting of four integrated phases: context mapping, cocreation, implementation and monitoring and knowledge translation. Research limitations/implications This work enhances theoretical understanding by systematizing existing approaches to contextualized social impact assessments and presenting a new model. Practical implications The study offers a practical framework that integrates local epistemologies and stakeholder input, providing actionable guidance for institutions and policymakers in developing more responsive and inclusive research evaluation models. Originality/value This study has two main contributions. First, it advances the theoretical debate on research impact literature by systematizing existing approaches to contextualized social impact assessment. Second, regarding practice, it offers a practical framework that integrates local knowledge systems and stakeholder voices, providing actionable guidance for academic institutions, funding agencies and policymakers seeking to promote more responsive and inclusive research evaluation models.