The Future of Research Outputs
The changing nature of research outputs has the potential to affect a wide range of organizations and people. A proactive stance could help drive research towards better practices in information storage, sharing and communication, but requires early action and shared goals at a sector level.
May 12, 2020 British Library
Measuring Up: How to Ensure Peer Review for Grant Applications Remains Up to the Mark
Expert peer review is considered the gold standard for assessing the validity, significance and originality of research. When it comes to grant applications, however, peer review is not without its shortcomings. Addressing some of the challenges that peer review poses could ensure that the best research receives the financial support it deserves.
Jul 26, 2019 Research Fortnight
Evidence Synthesis—Behind the Scenes
The Royal Society and RAND Europe recently published an evidence synthesis on the impacts of ammonia emissions from agriculture on biodiversity. As well as aiming to provide a useful summary of the evidence to inform ongoing policy discussions, the study was intended to test the Royal Society's recently developed principles for good evidence synthesis for policy.
Nov 30, 2018 The Royal Society
Ammonia – Why the Big Stink?
Ammonia pollution harms human health and reduces the richness and diversity of the environment. As new policy frameworks are implemented in the UK, there is an opportunity to support farmers to make the changes necessary to reduce ammonia pollution.
Sep 18, 2018 The Royal Society
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
Why the Mental Ill Health of Academic Researchers Remains a Hidden Problem
The mental health and well-being of higher education staff is a significant challenge, probably even more so than the evidence indicates.
Aug 28, 2017 Times Higher Education
Professional Expectations, Families and Brexit Shape Future for UK International Researchers
Mobility has become an even higher priority for researchers since the results of the UK’s EU referendum, Brexit. To continue to attract and keep top talent, the UK needs to understand how and why researchers move between countries.
May 5, 2017 Times Higher Education
Why We Need to Experiment with Grant Peer Review
More than 95 per cent of academic biomedical research funding is controlled by peer review of grant applications. It is generally cited as the gold standard for awarding funding, but it appears most effective when used conservatively.
Apr 4, 2017 Research Fortnight
What Does the Stern Review Mean for the Research Excellence Framework?
The Stern Review's release at the end of July raised two pertinent questions about the Research Education Framework. What purposes does the REF serve? And does it offer good value for money for the UK's higher education institutions?
Sep 6, 2016 The RAND Blog