Innovation and Translation

Exploring how science, technology and innovation can be translated responsibly and sustainably into collective benefits for society

Research, commentary, and events

  • Computer keyboard with VOTE keys

    Project

    The benefits and drawbacks of remote voting solutions

    RAND Europe and Open Evidence examined the extent to which remote voting solutions—particularly internet voting—are employed in the European member states. The research identified the costs, risks and challenges associated with seven remote voting options.

    25 Jun 2020

  • Health care professional using a tablet with graphical images, photo by Cecilie_Arcurs/Getty Images

    Commentary

    How to Harness Technologies in the Fight Against COVID-19

    The pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis. But the response from science, technology, and innovation communities has been remarkable. It proves that innovation and learning, interdisciplinary methods and collaboration, information and data sharing, and adaptability are more important than ever.

    02 Jun 2020

  • Scientist working with a diagnostics kit to detect the virus that causes COVID-19, photo by anyaivanova/Getty Images

    Commentary

    How to best enable pharma innovation beyond the COVID-19 crisis

    Innovating in response to public health challenges like COVID-19 does not always align well with pharmaceutical industry commercial models or shareholder expectations. More sustainable and scalable ways of incentivising innovation in response to infectious disease threats are needed.

    26 May 2020

  • Hand holding a light bulb with cogs inside, photo by ipopba/Getty Images

    Commentary

    The Future of Research Outputs

    The changing nature of research outputs has the potential to affect a wide range of organizations and people. A proactive stance could help drive research towards better practices in information storage, sharing and communication, but requires early action and shared goals at a sector level.

    12 May 2020

  • Four hands holding magnifying glasses, photo by solidcolours/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Leading with the Proper Use of Scientific Evidence Is Better Than Hiding Behind It

    Evidence only has scientific meaning when it is part of a body of disciplinary knowledge produced by a community of scientists. Leading with scientific evidence, coupled with a wider values framework, may result in better outcomes for all.

    05 May 2020

  • Ventilators are stored and ready to be used at ExCel London, during its conversion into the temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital to help tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, U.K., March 31, 2020, photo by Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

    Commentary

    The Pandemic Has Sparked Innovation, Offering Lessons We Must Not Forget

    COVID-19 has shocked the world and caught most countries unprepared, forcing them to improvise. But amid all the confusion and fear, the power of individuals, organizations, and communities to think differently and to innovate shows what can be achieved when people are united by common, clear priorities and necessity.

    01 Apr 2020

  • A group of people in the shape of the brain, illustration by tai111/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Examining innovation in citizen science

    Advances in technologies, together with new opportunities for integrating diverse data sources, are enabling innovative methods of data collection in citizen science projects, but new risks have also emerged as the field evolves.

    17 Feb 2020

  • Senior scientist observes new breed of cress sprouts optimized for consumption in greenhouse

    Project

    Using foresight to examine the global food system

    Based on a series of foresight exercises for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), researchers developed a global food systems map, a map of systemic interdependencies, and a framework for future action to help the FSA achieve its goals.

    18 Nov 2019

  • visual, icon, agriculture, technology, farming, smart, field, tablet, farmer, computer, agricultural, digital, internet, nature, people, sensor, wheat, plant, farm, network, man, crop, using, green, concept, natural, modern, harvest, background, sensors, food, male, vintage, agronomist, vegetable, read, report, analysis, person, plantation, summer, business, equipment, grass, outdoor

    Project

    Technology's potential to tackle climate change in global agri-food systems

    A pilot study identified trends, opportunities and constraints in the use of emerging technologies to address climate-related challenges within the agri-food system. The findings will help to inform and test the potential for future research on the topic.

    06 Nov 2019

  • Scientists working with high tech equipment, photo by gorodenkoff/Getty Images

    Commentary

    What Is the Future of England's Research and Research Assessment?

    Rapid technological developments, changes in public policy, and shifts in the international environment all affect academia. To help understand these effects, RAND researchers asked more than 3,600 academics in England how they expect their research to evolve over the next decade.

    01 Nov 2019

  • Investing in ideas concept, photo by freshidea/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Supporting FasterCures' project on biomedical innovation metrics

    Researchers helped FasterCures in their effort to understand the metrics that currently measure innovation in the biomedical ecosystem. They also established to what degree these existing approaches are appropriate and relevant to measure and drive innovation for the benefit of patients.

    30 Oct 2019

  • Public speaker at a research convention, photo by gremlin/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Outputs of the Future

    Are all types of research outputs of equal value? How do different outputs serve different purposes? Exploring these questions could benefit not only funders and universities, but also result in overall better use of research resources.

    11 Oct 2019

  • May sitting with laptop and reading a report, photo by jacoblund/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Measuring Up: How to Ensure Peer Review for Grant Applications Remains Up to the Mark

    Expert peer review is considered the gold standard for assessing the validity, significance and originality of research. When it comes to grant applications, however, peer review is not without its shortcomings. Addressing some of the challenges that peer review poses could ensure that the best research receives the financial support it deserves.

    26 Jul 2019

  • Innovation and communication-focused society concept, photo by Hurca!/Adobe Stock

    Project

    How technology may change services sectors

    Researchers explored how 'game-changing' tech like robotics, autonomous transport, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, and wearable devices will impact the EU's services sectors, and their wider socio-economic implications.

    26 Jun 2019

  • clockwork evaluation wheel

    Project

    Designing an evaluation framework for the NHMRC

    The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia, have established a new grant program meant to emphasize fairness, reduce burden, and boost innovation and creativity in research funding processes. Researchers developed an evaluation framework and set of metrics to monitor the performance of the program.

    17 Jun 2019