Skip to section navigation
Skip to page content

RAND Europe Spotlight: 2019-2020

Read Our Annual Review

Spotlight 2019-2020

In these volatile and uncertain times, evidence-based insights are more crucial than ever to inform complex decisions, ensure scarce resources are used most effectively, and maximise payback from investments.

Spotlight 2019–2020 highlights some examples of our work, including defining possible directions for education and youth policy in the EU, analysing strategies to improve social media literacy in the age of disinformation, mapping the European defence skills landscape, and quantifying the wider societal costs of disease.

References for Spotlight 2019-2020

Collective responsibility: How to raise more money for health and social care

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

Economic implications of prolonged Brexit uncertainty
Despite an approved withdrawal agreement, the UK economy could falter by £16.2 billion within a decade of Brexit as a result of uncertainty about the final destiny of the UK-EU trade and economic relationship.

Staying ahead of defence challenges

Understanding the impact of emerging technology

Humans vs algorithms in the disinformation arena

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

Bump it up: Why more pregnancy research is needed

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.

Keeping London moving

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.

Homing in on damp dwellings

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.

New directions: The future of EU education & youth policies

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.

Looking deeper: Exploring the societal impact of disease

Move it! How increasing physical activity can boost global productivity

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.

Research assessment 2028

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.

Tackling defence sector skills gaps

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.

Whole-system innovation for improved healthcare

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.

Previous Years' Spotlights