Impact refers to a marked effect or influence that one thing has on another, often involving a strong or powerful change. It can be understood in two main senses:

• Physical Impact: The action or force of one object hitting or striking another, such as a collision or crash

• Figurative Impact: A significant effect or influence on a situation, process, person, or environment. This influence can be positive or negative, direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional, and can occur over short or long term

From a broader perspective, impact involves changes that affect people's lives, well-being, society, the economy, or the environment. These changes might include shifts in knowledge, behavior, health, living conditions, or socio-cultural and institutional factors

. Measuring impact often requires quantitative data and careful framing of cause-effect relationships

. In research and innovation contexts, impact is about making a difference beyond academia—such as influencing policy, changing public opinion, improving systems, or enhancing quality of life

. It combines two key elements:

• Reach: How many people or entities are affected.
• Significance: How important or valuable the change is to those affected

In summary, impact is the observable and measurable change or influence resulting from an action, event, or intervention, encompassing both tangible effects and broader societal or environmental consequences