Case study: How one collection led to real-world policy impact and academic recognition

Author: Siobhan Bates

Early career researchers (ECRs) face a fundamental challenge: how do you transform promising research into real-world impact so it can make a meaningful difference? Springer Nature collections are designed to help ECRs overcome these barriers, offering a platform where research is published, actively promoted, cited, and applied.

This Springer Nature collection case study will guide you through the journey of an article collection that achieved genuine policy influence and academic recognition. You’ll gain behind-the-scenes insights into the editorial process, learn about the impactful research included, and see the real-world results—such as citations in major policy documents and adoption by practitioners. You’ll also find practical guidance on preparing and submitting your own work to collections, with advice from Guest Editors and published collection authors.

The Health System in sub-Saharan Africa collection success story

From innovative research to global policy, the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection demonstrates that early-career researchers can see their work transition from publication to real-world impact, including being cited by the World Health Organization. It’s the kind of influence every ECR aspires to achieve.

Proving that a single collection can have a big impact

• Cited by the World Health Organization   
• Published 25 papers  
• Covered diverse topics from maternal health to chronic disease  
• Showcased the work of 100+ researchers   
• Connected authors from 17 countries across 4 continents

A platform for diverse, high-impact research

Launched in August 2023, the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection currently comprises 25 papers that examine the challenges and opportunities facing health systems in this region.

Topics include maternal and child health, community health work, substance misuse, chronic disease management, socio-cultural factors affecting healthcare access, and many more.

The collection is intentionally multidisciplinary, welcoming theoretical and empirical work, and open to various methodologies and perspectives. It demonstrates how academic research translates into practical solutions that truly matter.

From research to real-world change: the bridge that works

The Health System in sub-Saharan Africa collection’s impact is tangible and far-reaching:

• Policy influence

One paper has already been cited in the World Health Organization’s (WHOs) 2024 World Malaria Report, providing clear evidence that the collection's research is taken into account when it comes to global health policy.

• Practical application

Many of the papers published in the collection offer actionable insights that have already been applied by policymakers and healthcare providers, thereby bridging the gap between academic research and frontline practice.

• Academic recognition

The collection has sparked significant interest and engagement within the scholarly community, with multiple papers cited in other research and a growing network of reviewers and collaborators.

Showcasing the potential for the practical application of published research

The Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection is more than an academic showcase; it catalyses real-world change. Three recent papers exemplify how research from this collection can shape policy and improve practice:

1. The safety, quality evaluation, and lot release of COVID-19 vaccines imported and used in Nigeria from March 2021 to March 2022

In this research article, the authors presented one of the first detailed models of its kind from sub-Saharan Africa. Based at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan, USA, the authors documented Nigeria’s quality assurance process for imported COVID-19 vaccines.

By detailing the rigorous quality control processes in ISO-accredited laboratories, the paper provided a practical model of regulatory requirements for other low- and middle-income countries. The study highlights how robust testing, transparency, and adherence to international standards can strengthen regulatory systems, build public trust, and combat vaccine hesitancy.

2. Pay for a free service, access to cesarean section in the slums of Dakar

Researchers from Kenya, Senegal, and Burkina Faso investigated access to emergency caesarean sections for women in Dakar's slums. The research revealed that significant out-of-pocket costs persist despite a policy guaranteeing free caesarean services in government-run health facilities. 

These costs contribute to further impoverishment of women and undermine the intent of free care policies. By identifying the disconnect between policy and practice, the paper provides a foundation for policymakers to reform financial management and ensure equitable access to lifesaving maternal health services.

3, Cost efficiency of primary health care facilities in Ghana: stochastic frontier analysis

A research team based in Ghana evaluated the cost efficiency of Ghana's primary healthcare facilities using robust statistical methods. The study revealed notable efficiency differences between facility types and identified factors that affect operational performance. The authors proposed adopting telehealth and telemedicine to improve access to and resilience of the health system, especially during health emergencies.

What the Guest Editors had to say about the collection

The collection’s Guest Editors highlighted the valuable contributions of early-career researchers (ECRs) and their fresh insights and innovative approaches.

“Our experience with the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection revealed a vibrant and growing community of early-career researchers who are driving meaningful policy change through evidence-based research. Their fresh insights and inventive solutions are addressing real-world health system challenges, contributing to scientific progress and impact—from healthcare financing and product quality assurance to modern delivery technologies and global health reports. Supporting these researchers to surface and share their work is not only an investment in future leadership, but also a step toward building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Seeing our own paper cited by the WHO and applied by policymakers is the ultimate reward.”

— Guest Editors of the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection

Discover collections: Modern publishing for modern challenges

Discover breaks free from traditional publishing constraints that often limit the impact of early-career researchers. Unlike conventional journals that may prioritise established researchers or have narrow scopes, Discover welcomes diverse methodologies, emerging researchers, and locally grounded perspectives that traditional publications might overlook.

The benefits of publishing to a Discover collection

• Inclusive publishing 

Discover actively seek contributions from researchers, utilizing targeted outreach and a diverse reviewer pool to ensure representation and maintain high-quality standards.

• Multi-disciplinary scope 

Discover fosters collaboration and innovation across disciplines by covering everything from policy and governance to clinical practice, opening possibilities for researchers in different relevant disciplines.

• Open access advantage

With Discover, every article is freely accessible worldwide, maximising your research's reach and citation potential. This isn't just about numbers; it's about ensuring your work reaches the practitioners, policymakers, and communities who can apply your findings.

• Community-driven support

Guest Editors and the Editorial team provide dedicated support throughout the publishing process. Coordinated marketing campaigns across social media platforms, professional networks, and academic channels ensure your research is published and promoted.

• Enhanced visibility and networking

Connect with Guest Editors, fellow contributors, and the broader research community. These contacts often lead to future collaborations, conference invitations, and career opportunities that strengthen grant applications and career prospects.

Why early career researchers choose Discover

• Representative: Your research finds its home

Discovers inclusive approach means targeted outreach through academic networks, regional connections, and professional social platforms, ensuring ECR research from across the continents finds its platform. This representative approach drives innovation and diversity, advancing discovery by welcoming all validated research regardless of origin.

• Rigorous: The quality that opens doors

Every submission undergoes robust peer review with a carefully curated reviewer pool spanning multiple disciplines. This rigorous process does not slow down ECRs; it accelerates their credibility. When your research appears in a Discover collection, it carries the trusted reputation that policymakers and senior researchers recognise.

• Rapid: Published at the pace of progress

Discover collections prioritise speed without compromising quality. The streamlined submission process and efficient editorial workflow mean ECRs see their work published quickly, which is crucial when research addresses urgent global health challenges.

• Reach: Finding the community that matters

The multidisciplinary scope of Discover’s journal collections creates unprecedented networking opportunities, bringing together leading experts, emerging researchers, and innovators from across diverse fields.

• Why publish to a Discover collection?

The Health Systems in sub-Saharan Africa collection demonstrates that Discover not only publishes research but also helps careers develop. That’s precisely why Discover is trusted by researchers for their values and impact.

As the youngest imprint from Springer Nature, Discover provides ECRs with everything needed to transform promising research into global impact by combining open access publishing, rigorous peer review, and community-driven support. 

Furthermore, whether your research addresses health systems challenges in Africa or elsewhere, Discover offers the platform, support, and reach to ensure your work makes the difference you intended.

What the collection authors had to say

Addressing malaria incidence in Africa through health care expenditure and access to basic sanitation services

Dr Alfred Eboh, a medical sociologist at Kogi State University, and Aderonke Omotayo Adebayo of the University of Ibadan, published an article demonstrating how improvements to healthcare expenditure and access to basic sanitation can reduce malaria cases and deaths. 

By choosing to publish in a Discover collection, Eboh and Adebayo made their work visible and accessible, leading to enhanced impact. In under 18 months, the article attracted five citations and 3500 accesses, underscoring the impact and relevance of publishing open access in a targeted collection.

“Importantly, the WHO’s World malaria report 2024 referenced our study’s insights on the importance of external funding and sanitation in reducing case numbers. This was incredibly gratifying: Seeing our work inform a flagship policy document underscores that rigorous, data‑driven research can, and does, shape global strategies. [...] Ultimately, the impact of these publications and their endorsement in academia and also policy affirm that scholarly work can move beyond citation counts to influence budgets, programmes, and — most importantly — health outcomes on the ground.”

- Dr Alfred Eboh, a medical sociologist at Kogi State University, Nigeria

Read Dr Eboh’s full interview here.

Using economic analysis to inform health resource allocation: lessons from Malawi

Early-career researcher Megha Rao and her co-authors sought to publish their research so that it would reach the very people who could implement their findings and suggestions, thereby making the maximum real-world impact.

Since publication, Rao and her team have received subsequent inquiries from policymakers about adapting and implementing her work across Africa. She says, “Publishing in the collection has given this research significantly greater visibility, particularly because it showcases its real-world application in Malawi. This has acted as a powerful proof-of-concept.”

Moreover, Rao highlights the value of publishing in a collection for early-career researchers. She adds, "For an ECR, the immediate value comes from the credibility it provides. Being included in a curated collection by established editors acts as a 'stamp of approval' and effectively positions my work within the most relevant community of experts and policymakers.”

“We've had tangible interest from researchers and health ministries in several other African countries. These aren't just academic inquiries; they are concrete conversations about how to adapt and implement these tools to fit their national contexts, which is exactly the outcome we hoped for.” 

- Megha Rao, Research Fellow for the Thanzi Labwino (Better Health) project at the University of York

Ready to make the wise choice for your research impact? Visit Springer Nature collections to explore open call for papers and discover which collection aligns with your research goals and career ambitions. At Springer Nature, your work will be published, promoted, protected, and positioned for real-world change.

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