The Department explores various pathways to impact in its research, in particular through engagement with communities with whom it can partner in order to better their lives.

In the 2020 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), whose results were announced in May 2021, the Department received a 4* rating for Impact (the top rating possible), indicating impact that is defined as "world-leading". Its impact case study featured the work of Dr. Ester Leung, now Adjunct Associate Professor of the Department, whose project titled "Improving the medical interpreting services in Hong Kong” led to a fundamental improvement in the provision of interpreting services for the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.