RAND Europe Spotlight: 2022-2023

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Good decisions require good evidence and, as ever, our goal is to provide policymakers with the objective, high-quality research and analysis needed to develop effective, lasting solutions. In 2022 we tackled a range of existing and emerging issues, including the security risks of research collaboration with Chinese partners, the complex factors influencing medicines R&D financing, the potentially transformative impact of quantum technology in the life sciences, and actions to support disadvantaged groups obtain green jobs as economies transform.

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References for Spotlight 2022-2023

The true scale of disease burden

More research on the burden of disease

Healthy workplaces

Fresh perspectives

Improving how medicines R&D is financed for patient benefit

Who benefits?

  • Reviewing the evidence in key areas for the UK Department of Work and Pensions

    To inform policy and practice for DWP and other policymakers, researchers are conducting evidence reviews on effective contracting of employment and health services, digitalising welfare services, understanding state pension age systems, understanding household formation and preventing living-together fraud, and understanding the effectiveness of interventions to promote in-work progression.

Steps to sustainability

  • ‘Green’ jobs and skills development for disadvantaged groups

    People who face disadvantages, including those with low qualifications, may miss out on the opportunities presented by the transition to a greener economy. To ensure this is not the case, more targeted action is needed from relevant stakeholders, such as investing in skill-building among these populations.

  • Developing future scenarios for the sustainable use of pesticides

    There is a complex landscape surrounding pesticide use, which needs to be addressed holistically across all contexts, including political, legal, economic, societal, technological and environmental. The inherent variation across regions must also be considered, in an increasingly globalised context.

More research on environmental sustainability

Trafficking human beings

  • Trafficking human beings in the European Union

    At the request of the European Commission and to inform proposals to revise EU legislation, RAND Europe is evaluating the 2011 EU directive on preventing human trafficking and outlining the priority areas for improvement.

Dutch planning for Brexit

  • How the Dutch approached Brexit

    An independent evaluation of the Dutch response to the UK withdrawal from the European Union found that the Netherlands fared well in negotiations and preparations, but Brexit's total costs to the Netherlands remain unclear.

Chinese influence in British universities

On the cusp

  • Applying quantum technologies to the life sciences

    Researchers assessed the global research landscape associated with the development and adoption of quantum technologies in the life sciences, highlighting current developments, opportunities and challenges, initiatives, and activities to help enable the ecosystem in the future.

Sound proposals

Building trust

  • Exploring ways to regulate and build trust in AI

    Researchers brought together evidence on the use of labelling initiatives, codes of conduct and other voluntary, self-regulatory mechanisms for the ethical and safe development of artificial intelligence systems.

Removing barriers to diversity and inclusion in the military

  • Removing Barriers to Diversity and Inclusion in the Military

    Efforts to improve representation and remove barriers for personnel with protected characteristics are seen as essential steps for modern militaries, but have not gone without controversy. The UK Armed Forces could take a more-strategic approach to leveraging diversity to elevate it as a strategic enabler of military fighting power in the contemporary threat environment.

  • Creating operational advantage through military diversity

    Advances in technology have made warfighting more complex and the range of skills required more diverse. Researchers examined how increasing workforce diversity may create strategic opportunities for military organisations.

Social value

  • Our Commitment to Social Value

    Our social value contributions span both the ethical and operational behaviours we embed in our practices, as well as the research and analysis we conduct.

FiMT Research Centre

Network of ideas

  • Lucas discusses 'How do we build a resilient society?' at Cambridge Festival 2022

    During an expert panel discussion hosted by RAND Europe at the 2022 Cambridge Festival, Rebecca Lucas explored the question, 'How do we build a resilient society?'

  • Expert Insights: Truth Decay in Europe

    The role of facts and data in public life in Europe is changing and a new study has found evidence of the signs of Truth Decay. However, there is still time to act and help prevent or slow its growth. Senior researchers Axelle Devaux and Stijn Hoorens discuss the research in the Expert Insights podcast.

  • Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition

    RAND Europe’s Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition (CDEA) takes a holistic approach to defence economics and acquisition, drawing on wider defence expertise, as well as multimethod teams and other policy portfolios. Our analyses of defence economics and acquisition programmes consider the full picture—including strategy, politics, industry, and the wider policy context.

  • CCHSR lecture examines the potentials and pitfalls of digital healthcare in the 21st Century

    Professor Jonathan Benger CBE, Interim Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) and Portfolio Lead for the Digital Citizen in the Transformation Directorate of NHS England, explored what “digital healthcare” really means, and how a misunderstanding of the benefits that technology can and cannot achieve is preventing us from realising the full potential of digital development and innovation.

  • Realising the ambitions of the UK’s Defence Space Strategy

    Researchers examined the factors influencing the implementation of the Defence Space Strategy to 2030 as well as the unique attributes of the UK space enterprise—including its strengths and weaknesses. They include a decision support tool to help decision makers navigate capability management choices along the 'own-collaborate-access' framework articulated in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy.

On the horizon

30th Anniversary

  • Celebrating 30 years of RAND Europe

    In 2022, RAND Europe celebrated 30 years of delivering its mission to help improve policy and decision making through research and analysis. Hans Pung shared remarks with our Council of Advisors and selected alums and current staff reflected on impactful projects.