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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

The impact of respiratory syncytial virus on the NHS, society and economy in the UK
Researchers estimate the total economic impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to be around £80 million each year, based on a rapid evidence assessment to model the disease's wider societal and economic burden in the UK.

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

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 evaluated the 2011 EU directive on preventing human trafficking and outlined 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

New Legislation May Not Be Enough to Counter Chinese Interference in British Universities
There is alarming evidence of growing Chinese espionage and influence in UK universities that could threaten UK national security and academic freedoms. Three complementary initiatives could increase university researchers' awareness of the potential risks of collaborating with certain Chinese partners.

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

Examining proposal evaluation processes used in Horizon 2020
Broadly speaking, proposal evaluation processes in Horizon 2020 were fair and transparent. However, there may be scope to improve consistency and the feedback provided, and to reduce the burden and conservatism of the process.

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

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

RAND Europe and King’s College London to run military research centre
Two leading UK military research organisations have joined together to run a military research hub, the Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre, curating a free and accessible evidence base of research into ex-Service personnel and their families.

Network of ideas

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.

Previous Years' Spotlights