RAND Europe Spotlight: 2019-2020

• 

  Exploring NHS and Social Care Funding Options

  Research on different health and social care funding models assessed the popularity of different funding approaches among the UK public. Previous research examined other countries' funding schemes and found there is no single, commonly preferred solution to achieving sustainable revenues.

Beyond Brexit: Understanding the effect of further economic uncertainty

• 

  Global Strategic Partnership helps to inform UK Defence

  The Global Strategic Partnership (GSP), a consortium that spans research, academia and industry and is led by RAND Europe, provides academic and analytical support to the UK Ministry of Defence’s Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre.

• 

  Gaming for Research

  RAND Europe's use of gaming techniques allows decision makers to consider complex problems in a simulated environment as a test bed for different policy options. Participants are able to think creatively about ways to tackle issues and gain perspective on the cross-sector consequences of decisions.

• 

  Case studies provide lessons in oversight of emerging S&T

  Ten case studies examine science and technology oversight around the world. Based on these studies, researchers compiled a list of lessons for policymakers and stakeholders interested in encouraging and enabling emerging technology.

• 

  Using foresight to examine the global food system

  Based on a series of foresight exercises for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), researchers developed a global food systems map, a map of systemic interdependencies, and a framework for future action to help the FSA achieve its goals.

• 

  How technology may change services sectors

  Researchers explored how 'game-changing' tech like robotics, autonomous transport, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, and wearable devices will impact the EU's services sectors, and their wider socio-economic implications.

• 

  Tackling the challenges of algorithm-driven social media

  Improving consumers' media literacy could reduce their vulnerability to disinformation. Researchers propose a behavioural science experiment to encourage people to be more aware of their own online behaviour

• 

  Understanding the UK's pregnancy research needs and priorities

  A review of the research needs and expenditure on pregnancy in the UK found that £51 million is invested in pregnancy research each year. By contrast, the NHS spends £5.8 billion on pregnancy-related care each year and in 2018/19 litigation claims totalled £2.5 billion.

• 

  European Platform for Investing in Children identifies 'practices that work' across member states

  Reflecting the European Commission’s policy focus on children at risk, EPIC evaluates and disseminates practices that improve outcomes. RAND Europe's latest EPIC policy memo examines juggling work and childcare during the pandemic.

• 

  Developing a New Transport Demand Model for the London Area

  With rising populations in London leading to higher demand on road and transport networks, Transport for London asked researchers to develop a new strategic travel model for London, which will be used to develop strategic land use and transport policy scenarios to assist with future investment in London’s transport systems.

• 

  Indoor environment can impact child health

  In the EU, 26 million children under age 15 are exposed to household damp, noise, darkness and cold, which is associated with poorer health outcomes. Eliminating children’s exposure to household damp and mould could save $62 billion over the next 40 years.

• 

  Scenarios help explore the future of education and youth in the EU

  Researchers developed a set of scenarios to explore the future of education and youth in the EU, and found that personalised learning policies could be helpful across all scenarios if funded sufficiently and targeted appropriately. Supporting and reinforcing the teaching profession is also key.

• 

  Societal impacts of treating breast cancer early

  Treating breast cancer early does not prevent its recurrence, but doing so can have implications for future research, policy, and practice. Researchers explored the evidence base on the broader health, societal and economic impacts from early breast cancer treatment and the wider costs to society of the progression of breast cancer.

• 

  Understanding the societal burden of disease progression in multiple sclerosis

  MS is associated with high economic costs to society that go beyond the costs to the healthcare system, but researchers found limited evidence on the impact of disease progression on patients, carers, and society as a whole.

• 

  Improving physical activity would have global economic benefits

  Significant barriers exist to creating enduring change in physical activity, but societies would be healthier and global GDP could increase as much as $760 billion by 2050 if everyone increased their physical activity.

• 

  What is the future of UK research and assessment?

  Although technology, policy, and the international environment are changing the UK research landscape, and many researchers expect to produce more diverse forms of outputs in the future, they also think journal articles and conference contributions will remain the dominant form of output.

• 

  Building evidence on EU defence-related skills

  An examination of the shortages and mismatches in EU defence-related skills found that a focus on cross-cutting technical skills, domain-specific skills, skills relating to new and emerging technologies, and soft skills could help the industry address existing and future skills gaps.

• 

  Innovation for improved NHS healthcare

  The UK's NHS is under pressure to meet the growing and changing demand for services with limited resources. Innovations may provide opportunities to respond creatively and effectively to growing health demands.