Current Research Projects

Understanding the impact of peer-assisted learning strategies
30 Apr 2019
RAND Europe is evaluating the impacts of peer-assisted learning strategies (PALS) in England. The evaluation will seek to understand the impact of PALS on reading attainment for both strong and weak readers and will assess how effectively the intervention is implemented.
What are the impacts of the indoor environment on child health?
26 Apr 2019
Researchers are exploring the impact of poor indoor climate — such as damp, mould and excess cold — on child health, to help inform policymakers of the potential benefits of renovating inadequate housing and to provide wider evidence to the public on the importance of living in a healthy home.
Understanding the societal burden of disease progression in multiple sclerosis
23 Apr 2019
Researchers are evaluating the patient, carer, and societal impacts of disease progression in MS, as well as the challenges and opportunities that may help reduce the burden of disease progression.
Evaluating IPS Grow
22 Apr 2019
An evaluation of IPS Grow will assess the initiative in different contexts in which individual placement and support services are implemented, to determine whether IPS Grow leads to better quality provision, better quality provision leads to better outcomes, and IPS Grow leads to better data.
Understanding decisions about early cancer diagnosis interventions
15 Apr 2019
Cancer Research UK has asked RAND Europe to help them improve their understanding of how commissioners of healthcare services and Cancer Alliances make decisions at a local level about early diagnosis interventions for cancer.
Evaluating language skills outcomes in Group Triple P
12 Apr 2019
Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program, offers individual and group interventions. Researchers are evaluating how the group interventions influence language skills in children whose parents are randomly assigned to the intervention.
Understanding the UK's pregnancy research needs and priorities
25 Mar 2019
The Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer recommended a review of the research needs and expenditure on pregnancy in the UK. This study aims to generate a sound evidence base on UK pregnancy research needs and priorities, and how that compares to the current funding landscape.
Economy and national security in the Netherlands
15 Mar 2019
Researchers are working to develop insights into the relationships between the economy and national security, focusing in particular on the characteristics and performance of the economy of the Netherlands and the consequences this may have for its national security.
Analysing Norway's health research and innovation system
13 Mar 2019
Researchers are developing case study examples of international health research and innovation initiatives and their key messages, to help support DAMVAD Analytics’ recommendations for the Norwegian health research and innovation system.
What is the future of research and research assessment in England?
04 Mar 2019
The research landscape is changing, reflecting a shifting international environment, rapid technological development and developments in public policy. This scoping study will explore the landscape in which research is conducted and assessed, and how this may be changing.
Supporting the Asia's Healthiest Workplace Competition
15 Feb 2019
For two years, RAND Europe has supported AIA Vitality's contest. Doing so enables researchers to explore the health trends—employee lifestyle, clinical indicators, mental health and other areas of concern—among participating Asia-Pacific workplaces.
Supporting the 'Britain's Healthiest Workplace' Competition
08 Feb 2019
Since 2014, RAND Europe has designed and run surveys, analysed results, and provided customised reports to organisations that participate in the annual Britain's Healthiest Workplace competition. The contest’s central aims are to raise awareness and gain a better understanding of how organisations can engage with the wellness of their employees.
Evaluating Primary Science Quality Mark
21 Dec 2018
A randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of PSQM aims to understand the impact of the intervention on pupils and teachers. The study will also examine how the intervention is implemented.
Evaluating the impact of a program to promote early childhood development
20 Nov 2018
RAND Europe is undertaking a three-year independent evaluation of the impact of a philanthropic ECD programme in France. Researchers will assess the extent to which the programme-level objectives have been achieved, and understand how and why they were achieved.
Follow-up evaluation of the health and justice outcomes of L&D services
12 Nov 2018
The Department of Health and Social Care commissioned RAND Europe to undertake a second study on the UK's new model for Liaison and Diversion schemes. This study aims to investigate whether the new model has an impact on reconviction, the length of court processes, diversion from the criminal justice system, and the use of A&E and mental health services.
Exploring collaborative investment in military multirole helicopters
07 Nov 2018
Researchers are examining the potential value of cooperation among European Defence Agency member states developing, acquiring, operating, and supporting light-weight and medium-weight multirole helicopter programmes.
British people prefer a soft Brexit, if any
11 Oct 2018
A longitudinal study of British people finds they reject a no-deal scenario even more firmly than in 2017, and even Leave voters are shifting to a ‘softer’ Brexit. Membership in the European Economic Area remains the most popular option.
Evaluating the Wellbeing Premium Programme
01 Oct 2018
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often find it hard to invest in the health and wellbeing of their employees, or do not invest at all. Researchers are evaluating a randomised controlled trial of a financial incentive programme to improve employee health and wellbeing in SMEs in the West Midlands.
Evaluating the development of the Q initiative from 2016-2020
14 Sep 2018
RAND Europe is conducting a four-year, independent evaluation of the second phase of the Q Initiative to help guide the learning of the Q project team and wider stakeholders as they continue their implementation of Q across the UK. The research will support strategic decision-making and inform the ongoing design and management of Q and also assess the initiative's impact.
Societal impacts of treating breast cancer early
05 Sep 2018
Treating breast cancer early does not prevent its recurrence, but doing so can have implications for future research, policy, and practice. Researchers are exploring 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.
Evaluating individual placement and support for alcohol and drug dependence
03 Sep 2018
IPS is an evidence-based programme that helps people with mental health challenges find employment. Public Health England is conducting a trial that expands the programme to help people in treatment for substance misuse. Our researchers are conducting a process evaluation of the trial.
Evaluating 'Aspire to STEM'
14 Aug 2018
Researchers are evaluating an intervention aimed at improving STEM teaching and learning in UK schools in disadvantaged areas. The project aims to understand what impact the intervention has on children’s learning and teacher retention.
Evaluating NELI, the evidence-based Nuffield Early Language Intervention
13 Aug 2018
RAND Europe is conducting a randomised controlled trial into the effectiveness of NELI, a language support programme designed to improve children’s vocabulary, listening and narrative skills. The study aims to understand both the impact of the intervention and how effectively it is implemented.
Building evidence on defence-related skills
16 Jul 2018
RAND Europe and the Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini are building the evidence base on shortages, gaps and mismatches in defence-related skills. The research aims to deliver a sectoral skills strategy that is agreed and validated by stakeholders.
Linking hate speech online and hate crime
06 Jul 2018
RAND and Cardiff University are analysing online hate speech data to see if it can be used to identify areas where offline hate crimes are most likely to occur. The research aims to inform strategies to prevent and address hate crimes.