Attention is shifting towards evaluating research in a more responsible manner beyond traditional metrics, and societal impact has now entered the arena becoming a core component of research assessment. This paper looks at the UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2021 Impact case studies through the lens of the societal impact of research within the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Outcomes reveal that a more nuanced and fine grained view of societal impact in the context of the REF impact case study database is possible. This study and its methodology can be applied to any text based narrative of impact case study. Using a component of impact as submitted to a research assessment exercise in conjunction with the UNs sustainability agenda would appear to provide a way to position societal impact that is revealing and informative for the assessment of research.