Innovation and Translation

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

Research, commentary, and events

Project
Making outcome-based payment a reality in the NHS: Phase 1
21 Feb 2019

Researchers assessed a new approach to paying for cancer drugs in England’s National Health Service based on achieved outcomes. Their findings may help to improve patient access to medicines and ensure value for the NHS.
Project
Organising for excellence
15 Feb 2019

An exploration and review of international evidence around best practices in organisational design for research funding bodies has helped to inform the design of the umbrella organisation UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The research also contributed to decisions around governance structures and strategy.
Project
Econometric modelling support links research and innovation to jobs and growth
21 Dec 2018

RAND Europe researchers assessed research and innovation reforms in EU countries to improve the modelling of policy impacts within the European Commission's QUEST III macroeconomic model.
Project
How to translate research and drive innovation
13 Dec 2018

To ensure the continued excellence of the UK’s research and innovation (R&I) base, the existence and continuity of funding is key. Additionally, numerous interacting conditions are needed to translate research and stimulate innovation, but there is no ‘magic formula’ for these conditions to be implemented.
Project
Measuring the distribution of benefits of research and innovation
13 Dec 2018

Economic analyses offer a compelling case for the benefits that research and innovation (R&I) can deliver, but R&I also offers numerous benefits that are either not easily monetised or not well understood. These include benefits to culture, public engagement, social cohesion and the environment.
Project
Agricultural ammonia emissions carry steep costs
17 Sep 2018

Ammonia emissions in the UK have been rising since 2013, largely due to agricultural waste and fertiliser runoff. By 2020 the impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health may total over £700 million per year.
Project
Evaluating the Q Improvement Lab
14 Sep 2018

RAND Europe and the University of Cambridge tested whether the Q Improvement Lab approach could become an effective, valuable way of developing ideas or interventions to support positive change at multiple levels of the health and care system.
Project
Eastern AHSN Transformation Support Unit Shows Positive Impact
03 Aug 2018

Stakeholders and 'customers' say the Eastern Academic Health Science Network's TSU—which helps implement innovative solutions to challenges faced by health and care providers—has supported them with their pilots and network building. An evaluation provides recommendations for further improvements.
Project
Standardising quantitative indicators of impact within REF case studies
23 Jul 2018

To inform the development of the guidance and criteria for the preparation of impact case studies in Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, we examined the case studies submitted to REF 2014 and identified quantitative indicators of impact. We then developed guidance for how these indicators could be standardised for potential use in REF 2021.
Project
Updating an Evaluation of Grant Peer Review in the Health Sciences
15 Jun 2018

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research asked RAND Europe to update the 2009 study on grant peer review to provide a more widely applicable source of evidence around the strengths and weaknesses of peer review for grant funding assessment.
Project
The potential of citizen science for research
24 May 2018

Through a rapid review of the available literature and interviews with four experts, researchers compiled a practical overview of crowdsourcing in citizen science. The report highlights the benefits of crowdsourcing, best tools to use, and best practices.
Project
Evaluating the Impact of EU R&D into PRNDs
21 Feb 2018

EU-funded research and development into poverty-related and neglected diseases has had a significant impact on strengthening research capacity in low- and middle-income countries, but its effects on encouraging universal health coverage is less clear.
Commentary
Blockchain: Should We Believe the Hype?
30 Nov 2017

Industry, governments and academics are all speculating on the ways in which blockchain could revolutionize everything from finance to the music industry. Now is the time for policymakers and industry to take note and find out what blockchain could offer.
Commentary
Driverless Cars: The Race Is On for Policy to Catch Up
27 Nov 2017

Driverless cars could be tested on Britain’s roads by 2021. While this is likely to be great news to many, the race is now on for policymaking to catch up. Why? Because driverless cars could substantially change more than just the way people travel.
Project
SBRI Healthcare Programme Helps Small Businesses Innovate for NHS
30 Oct 2017

The SBRI Healthcare programme is viewed as providing effective support for small companies to develop innovations that address NHS needs. Because some businesses have asked for more support taking innovations to the NHS, Academic Health Science Networks need clear guidance about how they could support SBRI-supported companies.