Salil Gunashekar

Associate Director (Science and Emerging Technology, RAND Europe)

Cambridge Office

Education

Ph.D. in wireless communications engineering, University of Leicester; M.Sc. in information and communications engineering, University of Leicester; M.Sc. in informatics, University of Delhi; B.Sc. (Hons) in physics, University of Delhi (St Stephen's College)

One Page Bio

Overview

Salil Gunashekar is a research leader and associate director at RAND Europe focusing on science and technology policy. He has a particular interest in exploring the impact of digitalisation and emerging technologies, and in examining research systems policy.

Gunashekar has been involved in projects for several public, private and third sector clients in the UK, Europe and Australia. These include the European Commission, the Research Council of Norway, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, various government departments in the UK, the British Standards Institution, Wellcome, the Digital Catapult, Research England, NHMRC Australia, and various UK universities. His projects cut across multiple sectors and have covered topics including digital skills, technology foresight, new and emerging technologies (e.g. quantum technology, 5G, artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, virtual reality, the Internet of Things), mission-oriented research and innovation, open science, grand challenges, science and technology oversight, public engagement, and research impact.

His recent and current projects examine topics such as regulating the use of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and the life sciences, and the future of digital skills.

With a technical background in wireless communications, Gunashekar previously worked as a research associate at the University of Leicester within the Departments of Engineering and Computer Science. He completed his Ph.D. from the University of Leicester where he also obtained an M.Sc. in information and communications engineering. Before attending Leicester, he obtained an honours degree in physics and M.Sc. in informatics from the University of Delhi.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Tackling societal challenges and guiding the future of research and innovation in Norway
Examining the use of public engagement for technological innovation
Assessing the use of digital technologies for infectious disease (including COVID-19) surveillance, prevention and control
Oversight of emerging science and technology: Learning from past and present efforts around the world
Socio-economic impacts of game-changing technologies (including blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, wearables, autonomous transport) on service sectors in Europe

Commentary

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility—How to Harness Technologies in the Fight Against COVID-19
The pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis. But the response from science, technology, and innovation communities has been remarkable. It proves that innovation and learning, interdisciplinary methods and collaboration, information and data sharing, and adaptability are more important than ever.
Jun 2, 2020 Centre for Science and Policy
Eight Lessons to Inform the Future Oversight of Emerging Science and Technology
The prospect of Brexit has prompted much discussion about the future of science and technology in the UK. Effective oversight systems are crucial. They could help to create public trust and minimize risks, while allowing emerging science and technology, along with the businesses that arise from them, to flourish.
Apr 11, 2019 Research Fortnight
Blockchain: Should We Believe the Hype?
Industry, governments and academics are all speculating on the ways in which blockchain could revolutionize everything from finance to the music industry. Now is the time for policymakers and industry to take note and find out what blockchain could offer.
Nov 30, 2017 Prospect Magazine
Tracking Global Trends in Open Peer Review
Open peer review is happening in a variety of forms, but it still accounts for a small percentage of reviews carried out, and it is not clear whether open peer review is increasing in usage. In the future, as the Publons dataset grows, it will be worth exploring the data in more detail.
Oct 27, 2017 Publons
Can Open Science Help to Make Research More Accessible?
The leading principle of open science is that anyone, whether they are part of the research community or the public, should be able to access scientific knowledge. Free circulation of knowledge, the sharing of research results, and transparency of methodology are core tenets of the scientific method.
Oct 13, 2017 Observatory for a Connected Society app
Funders Using Bibliometrics Should Keep It Simple
Avoiding information overload is crucial for research grant decisions. The right guidance and training to panel members can help them make the most of bibliometrics as an evaluation tool to assist their decisions on research funding.
Sep 15, 2017 Research Fortnight
Global Collaboration Needs a Firmer Evidence Base
Policymakers should carry out a robust evaluation to assess the EU's research collaboration to date and analyze its impacts. This review should also compare the EU's portfolio with the collaborative research achievements of other players in international research. Such evidence would enhance the EU's research procurement strategy.
Nov 10, 2014 Research Europe

Publications

Report
Labelling initiatives, codes of conduct and other self-regulatory mechanisms for artificial intelligence applications: From principles to practice and considerations for the future
This research analysed evidence on the use of labelling schemes, codes of conduct and other self-regulatory mechanisms for the ethical and safe development of AI applications, highlighting opportunities, challenges and key learnings for the future.
Apr 25, 2022
Report
The global digital skills gap: Current trends and future directions
The overarching aim of the research was to better understand at a macro level whether and why the digital skills gap is widening, its implications for digital and social inequalities, and what various stakeholders are doing in response.
Dec 15, 2021
Journal Article
5G Supply Market Trends: Executive Summary and Final Report
The study provides an analysis of plausible developments of the 5G equipment and services supply market looking to 2030.
Aug 20, 2021
Report
Addressing societal challenges in Norway: Key trends, future scenarios, missions and structural measures
Through a series of nine reports, the study identified priority missions that the Research Council of Norway could consider implementing in the future to address societal challenges, and potential structural measures needed to enable a resilient R&I environment in Norway.
Aug 9, 2021
Journal Article
Study on 'Support to the Observatory for the Online Platform Economy' Analytical paper #4: Online platforms with significant/strategic market status
This paper examines evidence in order to better understand various issues relating to, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of, emerging approaches to identifying online platforms with significant/strategic market status.
Apr 14, 2021
Journal Article
Study on 'Support to the Observatory for the Online Platform Economy' Analytical paper #8: Developments concerning B2B platforms and emerging cloud services
The aim of this analytical paper is to understand developments concerning B2B platforms, and the emerging issues that they may face and that they give rise to.
Apr 14, 2021
Journal Article
The Use of Public Engagement for Technological Innovation: Literature Review and Case Studies
This research report synthesises recent evidence, in the form of a literature review and case studies, on the use of public engagement for technological innovation.
Jan 29, 2021
Journal Article
Assessing the Impacts of Digital Government Transformation in the EU: Conceptual Framework and Empirical Case Studies
Researchers developed an original conceptual framework for assessing the impacts of Digital Government transformation in the EU. Case studies in different policy areas and EU countries were then used to test and validate it.
Jun 12, 2020
Report
Reuse of health data by the European pharmaceutical industry: Current practice and implications for the future
Health data is re-used for a variety of reasons by pharmaceutical companies across the R&D pathway. RAND Europe suggests seven ways which might help create a sustainable ecosystem in which health data is reused effectively.
Nov 12, 2019
Journal Article
Advanced Robotics: Implications of Game-Changing Technologies in the Services Sector in Europe
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
Jun 25, 2019
Journal Article
Autonomous Transport Devices: Implications of Game-Changing Technologies in the Services Sector in Europe
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
Jun 25, 2019
Journal Article
Blockchain: Implications of Game-Changing Technologies in the Services Sector in Europe
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
Jun 25, 2019
Journal Article
Virtual and Augmented Reality: Implications of Game-Changing Technologies in the Services Sector in Europe
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
Jun 25, 2019
Journal Article
Wearable Devices: Implications of Game-Changing Technologies in the Services Sector in Europe
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
Jun 25, 2019
Report
Design and development of an evaluation framework for the NHMRC: Review of international practice, overview of NHMRC's data and grant management systems, and an evaluation framework and metrics
The aim of this study is to help NHMRC think about ways to assess and measure the impact of the changes to their restructured grant program in terms of burden, creativity and innovation, and equality of opportunity across career stages.
Jun 17, 2019
Research Brief
Oversight of emerging science and technology: Lessons from history to guide future developments
To help inform decisions about emerging science and technology oversight in the future, RAND Europe studied ten examples of oversight spanning different countries, time periods, and science and technology areas, and identified eight key lessons.
Jun 14, 2019
Journal Article
Measuring Bias, Burden and Conservatism in Research Funding Processes
Researchers conducted a review of international practice in the evaluation and improvement of grant funding processes in relation to bias, burden and conservatism, based on a rapid evidence assessment and interviews with research funding agencies.
Jun 14, 2019
Report
Oversight of emerging science and technology: Learning from past and present efforts around the world
To help inform decisions about emerging science and technology oversight in the future, RAND Europe studied ten examples of oversight spanning different countries, time periods, and science and technology areas, and identified eight key lessons.
Mar 20, 2019
Journal Article
Citizen Science: Generating Ideas and Exploring Consensus
The final report in a three-part series on citizen science looks at the growing number of online tools for gathering and understanding opinions.
Aug 16, 2018
Report
Guidance for standardising quantitative indicators of impact within REF case studies
This report for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) (now Research England), proposes guidance for standardising quantitative indicators of impact within Research Excellence Framework (REF) case studies.
Jul 23, 2018
Report
Understanding the landscape of Distributed Ledger Technologies/Blockchain: Challenges, opportunities, and the prospects for standards
This report analyses the current landscape of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) / Blockchain. The study examines the issues that are central to its development in conjunction with the potential role of standardization to support its growth.
Oct 18, 2017
Report
Digital currency: Transacting and value exchange in the digital age
The report gives an overview of expert discussions on trends in the use of digital transaction platforms and cryptocurrencies, and the implications for the wider economic, financial and social landscape.
Oct 11, 2017
Report
Digital Currency and the Future of Transacting
Digital platforms have facilitated the emergence of new forms of currency and transaction platforms to support different ways of value exchange. This perspective explores the changing the ways we transact and the associated societal impacts.
Aug 30, 2017
Journal Article
Open Science Monitoring: Methodological Note
The overarching objective of this study was to inform the European Commission's future engagement with open science.
Aug 22, 2017
Report
Open Science: The citizen's role and contribution to research
Branching from Open Science is 'citizen science,' -- the increased involvement of amateur scientists in the various stages of the scientific research process. This publication explores the definitions, opportunities and challenges for citizen science.
Jul 17, 2017
Journal Article
How Do NIHR Peer Review Panels Use Bibliometric Information to Support Their Decisions?
This paper examines various aspects of the use of bibliometric information by members of award selection panels, based on interviews with ten panel members from three NIHR panels, alongside analysis of the information provided to those panels.
Jun 27, 2017
Journal Article
Distributed Ledger Technologies/Blockchain: Challenges, Opportunities and the Prospects for Standards
An overview of the current landscape of DLT/Blockchain developments and the issues that are central to the development of DLT/Blockchain.
May 11, 2017
Tool
Monitoring Open Science Trends in Europe
The Open Science Monitor tracks trends in areas that have consistent and reliable data, specifically: open access, open research data, open scholarly communication and citizen science.
Apr 3, 2017
Research Brief
Accelerating the Internet of Things in the UK: Linking policy with practice
Using insights from Internet of Things (IoT) implementations and informed users of technology, RAND Europe carried out a study to support a process for policy feedback that will inform the development and adoption of the IoT in the UK.
Oct 4, 2016
Report
Accelerating the Internet of Things in the UK: Using policy to support practice
Using insights from businesses and informed users of technology, RAND Europe carried out a study to support a process for policy feedback that will inform the development and adoption of the Internet of Things in the UK.
Oct 4, 2016
Report
Bibliometric analysis of highly cited publications of biomedical and health research in England, 2004–2013
This report presents a bibliometric analysis of biomedical and health research in England, 2004-2013. It is intended to support the shortlisting and selection of the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centres in England.
Dec 15, 2015
Report
The Digital Catapult and productivity: A framework for productivity growth from sharing closed data
This study frames thinking about how the Digital Catapult can contribute to economic productivity. The Digital Catapult targets market and innovation inefficiencies that likely inhibit the up-take of data-driven innovation across sectors.
Sep 22, 2015
Report
Foresight Services to support strategic programming within Horizon 2020: Foresight report (D3)
The study investigated the scope for development and optimisation of policy interventions centred around the Horizon 2020 Programme. From a foresight perspective, it explored links between long-term, forward-looking approaches and funding priorities.
Jul 16, 2015
Report
A bibliometric analysis of research by the Cambridge Neuroscience Strategic Research Initiative: Extended Summary
This report summarises the key findings of a bibliometric analysis of researchers affiliated with the Cambridge Neuroscience Strategic Research Initiative at the University of Cambridge with a view to informing the future direction of the initiative.
Jul 6, 2015
Research Brief
Preparing impact submissions for REF 2014: An evaluation
Research summary describing our evaluation of the preparation process for the new impact element of the Research Excellence Framework 2014 by UK universities, to assess the process and identify improvements.
Mar 25, 2015
Report
Preparing impact submissions for REF 2014: An evaluation: Approach and Evidence
As part of a review of the preparation process for the impact element of the REF 2014 within UK higher education institutions to assess the process and identify future improvements, this report provides an in-depth analysis of the gathered data.
Mar 25, 2015
Report
Preparing impact submissions for REF 2014: An evaluation: Findings and observations
As part of a review of the preparation process for the impact element of the REF 2014 within UK higher education institutions to assess the process and identify future improvements, this report summarises the approach and describes the key findings and observations.
Mar 25, 2015
Journal Article
Characteristics of High-Performing Research Units: A Preliminary Analysis
The Policy Institute at King's College London and RAND Europe undertook a preliminary analysis of the characteristics of high-performing research units within UK higher education institutions.
2015
Journal Article
Comparative Scientometric Assessment of the Results of ERC Funded Projects: Alternative Metrics Report (D7)
The altmetric analysis examined social media visibility and usage in online bibliographic management tools (Mendeley) of ERC-funded papers.
2015
Journal Article
Comparative Scientometric Assessment of the Results of ERC Funded Projects: Peer-review Evaluation of Highly Ranked Publications from Scientometric Assessment (D8)
The qualitative element of the study took a small sample from the top 1% of highly cited papers and, through an online survey, asked expert peer reviewers to assess each paper's overall contribution to its field. Reviewers were also asked to comment on the characteristics that might have led to the paper becoming highly cited or attracting social media attention. It should be noted that this part of the study did not look at all ERC-funded research, instead considering a small sample of publications (95 reviews of 56 "top" papers). As such the analysis cannot be considered representative of the wider body of ERC-supported work.
2015
Journal Article
Comparative Scientometric Assessment of the Results of ERC Funded Projects: Patent Analysis Report (D6)
The patent analysis looked at the inventive activity associated with ERC funding.
2015
Journal Article
Comparative Scientometric Assessment of the Results of ERC Funded Projects: Bibliometric Assessment Report (D5)
The bibliometric analysis examined the research productivity and scientific impact of ERC-funded researchers, as well as patterns of collaboration and interdisciplinarity.
2015
Journal Article
Good Practice Guide on Vulnerability Disclosure: From Challenges to Recommendations
Vulnerabilities are 'flaws' or 'mistakes' in computer-based systems that may be exploited to compromise the network and information security of affected systems.
2015
Report
The international dimension of research and innovation cooperation addressing the grand challenges in the global context
Horizon 2020, the EU's biggest research funding programme, allows the EU to play a central role in solving some of the world's grand societal challenges. This brief informs EU policy decisionmaking on research and innovation funding.
Oct 23, 2014
Research Brief
Towards a dynamic and trustworthy Internet of Things
Brief summary of findings and recommendations for the European Commission, from a study of Europe's policy options for a dynamic and trustworthy development of the Internet of Things.
Oct 29, 2013
Report
Analysis of research and education indicators to support designation of Academic Health Science Centres in England
To support the English Department of Health's Academic Health Science Centres competition in 2013, RAND Europe has analysed various types of publicly available data and quality assessments in the domains of medical research and health education.
May 2, 2013
Report
Assessing Research Impact: An international review of the Excellence in Innovation for Australia Trial
This report reviews the Excellence in Innovation for Australia Impact Assessment Trial in order to assess how well the universities identified and demonstrated impact, as well as how the process could be improved.
Mar 27, 2013
Report
Regulatory cultures and research governance
This is a comparative study of the practice of those who are subject to regulatory requirements in the health research, medical drugs, environmental and financial sectors conducted to assist understanding of health research governance in the UK.
Mar 1, 2013
Report
Europe's policy options for a dynamic and trustworthy development of the Internet of Things: SMART 2012/0053
The rapidly-developing Internet of Things may challenge business, market, policy and societal models. This report aims to inform a consistent European policy stance capable of fostering a dynamic and trustworthy IoT that meets these challenges.
Dec 31, 2012