Current Projects: Employment, Education, and Social Policy

Assessing the Effectiveness of Conditional Cash Transfers as a Development Mechanism

Conditional cash transfer programmes (CCTs) are seen as particularly effective in low- and middle-income countries, but relatively little is known about the interface between the supply of services and programme administration and specific human development outcomes. RAND Europe is assessing the effectiveness of CCTs, through a two-year grant from UK Economic Social Research Council and Department for International Development.

ImpactFinder Helps Universities Measure the Impact of their Research

To provide accountability for public investment in research and produce evidence of the benefits of each investment, UK Higher Education Funding Councils will begin using a new Research Education Framework in 2014 to assess the quality and impact of a university's research before providing further funding. RAND Europe and Ranmore Consulting Group have developed the ImpactFinder and offer a package of services to help UK higher education institutions evaluate their research impact.

Understanding Initial Vocational Education and Training

Efforts to make initial vocational education and training (IVET) an attractive learning option across the EU has so far produced mixed results. RAND Europe is undertaking a study to improve the evidence base for policy decisions at national and EU levels to increase IVET attractiveness. This will be achieved by mapping, comparing, and evaluating existing initiatives. The aim is to understand what works, where, and why, by setting IVET in a wider economic, social and behavioural context.

Understanding the Impact of Differential University Fees in England

Starting in 2012, students at English universities will face tuition fees of up to £9,000 per year. Concerns arise about participation levels in higher education, particularly from disadvantaged groups. RAND Europe is seeking to identify the factors that determine choices about higher education and to test how potential students might respond to the increased fees, to help policy makers and education providers plan for the new environment.

Tackling Error, Fraud, and Corruption in Romanian Cash Benefits

The World Bank commissioned RAND Europe to write a diagnostic report on the interventions used in Romania to tackle error, fraud, and corruption (EFC) in Romanian cash benefits. The aim of the study is to make a short assessment on the basis of fieldwork and background research of what the Romanian government is doing in the field of EFC and, subsequently, to formulate suggestions on how the government could improve its EFC approach.

Does Transferring Cash to Women Improve Household Well-Being?

Many cash transfer programmes designate women and mothers as transfer recipients, on the assumption that doing so will lead to better outcomes. RAND Europe is undertaking a systematic review for the UK Department for International Development to assess whether transferring cash to women rather than men in low- and middle-income countries has a greater impact on household well-being.

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Employment, Education, and Social Policy

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Chris Van Stolk, Associate Director, Employment, Education, and Social Policy