Researchers developed an original conceptual framework for assessing the impacts of Digital Government transformation in the EU. Case studies in different policy areas and EU countries were then used to test and validate it.
This report explores areas of innovation in citizen science including in relation to new applications, methods used, approaches to recruiting participants and building capacity for citizen science. It also considers emerging themes and topical issues and their implications, including in relation to using personal health data, artificial intelligence, the diversity of participants, policymaking, governance and data security issues.
To help inform public debate and decision making, RAND Europe explored the uses of cryptocurrencies for illicit or criminal purposes, focusing on Zcash. Commissioned by the Electric Coin Company, who developed and maintain Zcash, this study offers new insights for law enforcement professionals, policymakers, regulators and others interested in cryptocurrency issues.
Experts consider how monitoring the development of a COVID-19 vaccine could help to identify which of the approaches speeding development and deployment could be usefully applied more widely in the future.
Analyzing genomic data across populations is central to understanding the role of genetic factors in health and disease. This paper presents results from a very large public survey on attitudes toward genomic data sharing.
In light of the challenges facing the NHS, RAND Europe and the University of Manchester were asked to conduct a study on the potential of innovation to help deliver an efficient and effective healthcare service.
The NHS is under pressure to meet the changing demand for services with limited resources. Innovations spanning technologies, products, services and new ways of working provide opportunities to respond creatively and effectively to growing health demands across all age groups. RAND Europe and the University of Manchester were asked to conduct a study on the potential of innovation to help deliver an efficient and effective healthcare service.
To help understand the potential of innovation to respond to healthcare demands, researchers adopted a systems approach building on sociotechnical and innovations systems thinking to examine conditions that can support innovating healthcare systems.
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
The potential socioeconomic implications and applicability of game-changing technologies to the European services sector, covering: advanced robotics; autonomous transport devices; blockchain; virtual and augmented reality; and wearable devices.
RAND Europe conducted a study to explore current and future changes in the research landscape, considering the shifting international environment, rapid technological developments and developments in public policy, and how this may affect the nature of national research assessment. We explored how changes in the research environment that may affect research assessment in the UK (REF) over a 5–10 year timeframe.
NHMRC's new grant program aims to: (i) encourage greater creativity and innovation; (ii) minimise the burden on researchers of application and peer review; and (iii) provide opportunities for talented researchers at all career stages. The aim of this study is to help NHMRC think about ways to assess and measure the impact of the changes to their restructured grant program against those three aims.
This working paper describes a targeted landscape review conducted in order to assess evidence in the existing literature regarding the characterisation and measurement of the biomedical innovation ecosystem, as well as exploring wider considerations necessary in the conceptualisation and evaluation of the ecosystem. The work is likely to be of interest to research funders and evaluators.
The EDA commissioned RAND Europe to examine the scope for collaboration between European states in light and medium multirole helicopters. We examined the current multirole helicopter demand and supply landscape, the current approach to life-cycle management, and potential preconditions, challenges and benefits. The study then identified potential collaboration models, spanning maintenance and upgrade, procurement, and research and development.
A paper explores options for modifying or replacing peer review in the research funding system, including lotteries; self-review; open peer review; broadening participation; innovation prizes; and new technologies.
Using horizon scanning, a methodology for gathering information about future trends, RAND Europe identified global food system risks and opportunities, and drew out key implications to 2030 for the UK Food Standards Agency and its Science Council. The study was designed to operate as a test of an approach that the FSA could implement to enable ongoing horizon scanning capabilities in matters affecting food safety and authenticity in the UK.
Researchers conducted a review of international practice in the evaluation and improvement of grant funding processes in relation to bias, burden and conservatism, based on a rapid evidence assessment and interviews with research funding agencies.
The EDA commissioned RAND Europe to examine the scope for collaboration between European states in armoured vehicles (tracked, wheeled and protected transport vehicles). RAND Europe examined the current armoured vehicles demand and supply landscape in Europe and identified five potential collaboration models, spanning maintenance and upgrade, procurement and research and development.
To help inform decisions about emerging science and technology oversight in the future, RAND Europe studied ten examples of oversight spanning different countries, time periods, and science and technology areas, and identified eight key lessons.
RAND Europe examined ten diverse examples of emerging science and technology oversight spanning different countries, time periods, and science and technology areas, and identified eight key lessons or guiding principles. The research is part of a project commissioned by Wellcome to identify steps that could be taken to position the UK as a global leader in the effective, efficient and ethical oversight of emerging science and technology.
Researchers explored the challenges of algorithm-driven media services, including the interplay between the biases in algorithms and people's own cognitive biases.
In this Working Paper, the authors review the trends, opportunities, and constraints in the application of emerging technologies to climate-related challenges within the agri-food system. The findings are based on a small sample of projects, but indicate promising avenues for further exploration, as well as potential challenges in the application of technologies developed in one sector to challenges experienced in another.
Trust may be important in shaping public attitudes to genetics and intentions to participate in genomics research and big data initiatives. This study examined trust in data sharing among the general public in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia.
This research brief sets out the results from a 2017 survey of researchers in the UK and a review of the literature around patterns, drivers and barriers, and benefits and consequences of international mobility for researchers.
