Current Research Projects

Occupational safety and health: understanding decision making and the role of evidence
23 May 2022

Occupational accidents, illness, and fatalities are a major cause for concern in high- and low-income countries. Researchers are conducting a study to better understand how evidence is used, or not used, when taking decisions related to health and safety.
Understanding the evidence on the impacts of COVID-19 on work-related musculoskeletal disorders
17 May 2022

Changes to working practices and environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected exposure to known work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) risk factors. Researchers aim to understand this changing world of work, the effect on WRMSDs and post-pandemic considerations for WRMSDs.
How the Dutch approached Brexit
17 May 2022

Britain's departure from the EU, or Brexit, has had a considerable impact for the Netherlands. Researchers are conducting an independent evaluation of the Dutch government's response to Brexit.
New insights into the medical use of cannabis
17 May 2022

Researchers are examining the latest developments and available evidence concerning the medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
Understanding the lived experience of non-UK veterans
15 Apr 2022

To help the UK Office for Veterans’ Affairs develop policies that support former Service personnel who come from outside of the UK, researchers are interviewing members of the community to understand their needs and experiences.
The indirect economic and societal burden of seasonal influenza on the UK
29 Mar 2022

In 2019, absenteeism and presenteeism cost the UK economy almost £92 billion because of ill-health, but the economic burden specific to seasonal influenza is not well understood. Researchers are exploring the indirect economic and societal burden of seasonal influenza, including its effects on the UK healthcare system.
Reviewing the evidence in key areas for the UK Department of Work and Pensions
21 Mar 2022

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.
Assessing labour market and skills demand via horizon scanning and future scenarios
24 Jan 2022

Researchers are conducting a horizon scan of the UK labour market to identify the drivers and emerging trends, and to create scenarios of what the labour market could possibly look like in the future.
Integrating channels of communication to achieve influence
05 Jan 2022

Researchers are identifying strategies, approaches, methods and tools that UK Defence can implement to design multi-channel influence campaigns aimed at overseas audiences, comprising both online and offline forms of communication, and developing ways to monitor and measure the campaigns' effectiveness..
The impact of respiratory syncytial virus on the NHS, society and economy in the UK
04 Jan 2022

Researchers are carrying out a rapid evidence assessment and modelling and estimating the wider societal and economic burden of RSV in the UK.
‘Green’ jobs and skills development for disadvantaged groups
04 Jan 2022

While much has been written about employment for vulnerable groups, and employment in the green economy, little research exists that bridges these two areas. RAND Europe, with philanthropic support from JP Morgan Chase, is working to remedy that.
European Platform for Investing in Children identifies 'practices that work' across member states
29 Dec 2021

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.
Exploring the opportunities and challenges of UK research engagement with China
15 Dec 2021

An independent, evidence-based study into research engagement by UK academics with China aims to improve the UK government’s wider understanding of engagement with China on joint research activities, the benefits of collaboration, how to manage risk, and more.
Understanding how rail construction affects mental health and wellbeing
18 Nov 2021

Researchers are exploring how the UK's High-Speed Rail 2 development might affect people who live near the railway line. What they learn will contribute to the design and assessment of later phases of the HS2 scheme.
Evaluating the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
23 Aug 2021

RAND Europe, with the support of Frontier Economics, is leading a four-year independent evaluation of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, building on evaluations of each of the ISCF Challenges to examine the impact of the ISCF as a whole.
Exploring the value of engineering and physical sciences doctorates
11 Aug 2021

To support the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's review of their investment in doctoral education, researchers are exploring the skills required for doctoral graduates in the sector, and how students see doctoral education contributing to the development of these skills and to their career pathways.
Combatting psychological violence against women across the EU
23 Jul 2021

Commissioned by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), researchers are conducting a study to help strengthen the institutional capacity of the EU and member states to combat psychological violence against women and coercive control.
Investigating the impact of the Armed Forces Covenant
21 Jul 2021

The third instalment of FiMT’s ‘Our Community Our Covenant’ reports, this project will provide new evidence in three key areas and also explore the impact COVID-19 may have had on the Armed Forces Community.
Evaluating the Children and Young People's Mental Health Trailblazer programme
12 Jul 2021

An early evaluation of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Trailblazer programme examines the development, implementation and early progress of the 25 mental health support teams created as the first step of the programme.
Supporting Your DNA, Your Say
08 Jul 2021

RAND Europe is providing support to the Your DNA, Your Say project in terms of design and implementation of the analysis of survey data and reporting results in scientific papers.
Exploring the variation across countries in access to faecal microbiota transplantation
25 Jun 2021

RAND Europe has been commissioned by Ferring Pharmaceuticals to undertake an independent study that will explore current practice and differences in the establishment, running and distribution of stool banks and in the availability of FMT to patients with recurrent C. difficile infection, across a sample of geographies.
Addressing challenges in care for patients with Clostridioides difficile infection
23 Jun 2021

RAND Europe has been commissioned by Ferring Pharmaceuticals to undertake an independent study that aims to identify and characterise the challenges in the care pathway for patients with C. difficile infection and consider key areas for improvement in the care patients receive.
Assessing the consistency of UK climate risk approaches with new ISO guidelines
28 May 2021

Research for the UK Climate Resilience Programme aims to help organisations in the UK determine which guidance documents are most appropriate for their purposes and whether existing documents might be updated to reduce inconsistencies with ISO guidelines and strengthen weaknesses.
Evaluating England's youth employment infrastructure
25 May 2021

The youth employment sector in England has gone through substantial changes over the last several years, in part due to underfunding, structural changes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. RAND Europe is studying the role of infrastructure organisations in strengthening the sector.
Developing future scenarios for the sustainable use of pesticides
12 May 2021

To help the EU formulate an appropriate policy trajectory to accomplish its ambitious pesticide reduction targets, researchers are conducting a foresight study for the sustainable use of pesticides in relation to promoting sustainable food systems and protecting health and the environment.