Innovation and Translation

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

Research, commentary, and events

  • Two scientists in protective gear working in a microbiology laboratory

    Commentary

    European and American Efforts to Tackle AMR: Great Minds Think Alike (Almost Always)

    The United States and the European Union are committed to tackling antimicrobial resistance. Their efforts share objectives around key areas for improvement, such as the stewardship of existing antimicrobials, surveillance of their use, and development of new antimicrobials.

    19 Aug 2016

  • A doctor looking at an image of a human brain on a tablet

    Commentary

    Who's Funding Mental Health Research Worldwide?

    The size and diversity of mental health research is significant, but it remains a loosely defined field in which funders tend not to spell out what counts as mental health. An outline of the current state of mental health research funding worldwide helps to address the huge challenges of mental illness.

    17 Aug 2016

  • A group of people collaborating

    Commentary

    What Can We Learn from High-Performing Research Units?

    Central characteristics of high-performing research units are the high quality of the people and the culture and values displayed within the department, which is often a result of leadership. It is also interesting to explore their differences, such as what makes a unit particularly good at having impact versus producing high-quality publications.

    28 Jun 2016

  • Double decker bus going by Big Ben and Parliament in London, UK

    Commentary

    Looking Out the Window to Transport in 2035

    The UK's roads, railways, and airports are some of the most congested in the world. Exploring future transport scenarios and the technologies that will drive them can help guide today's policy and investment decisions.

    27 Jun 2016

  • Brexit referendum concept with stethoscope

    Commentary

    Brexit and Health Research: An Uncertain Picture

    The impact of leaving the EU on UK health research would depend greatly upon the terms and conditions of such a major change. But by exploring different scenarios, each with its own set of political and economic assumptions, we can get a picture of the potential impacts.

    23 May 2016

  • Medical healthcare test using a centrifuge

    Commentary

    NIHR's Impacts on the Health Research Landscape

    The National Institute for Health Research is now ten years old. What benefits has it had on the health research landscape in the UK since its formation?

    19 May 2016

  • Student solders and adjusts electronic device

    Commentary

    European Universities Are Pessimistic About Their Room to Innovate

    Higher education is changing worldwide and European institutions recognise the need to keep up. But are traditional European universities innovating enough to remain competitive?

    12 May 2016

  • A lab microscope

    Commentary

    Public Funding of Medical Research Pays for Itself

    Public and charity spending on medical research in the UK stimulates the private sector to spend more on R&D, not less. Each pound of public funding leads to an additional 99 pence investment from the private sector.

    27 Apr 2016

  • Group of people discussing research funding

    Commentary

    Why Research Funders Looking for Impact Need to Be 'DECISIVE'

    Funding decisions in the UK direct the flow of billions of pounds of public and philanthropic funding but there is little evidence to suggest how to allocate grants to researchers to increase the chances that the work they support changes lives and improves society. New research helps inform funders' strategies.

    14 Apr 2016

  • Illustration of medical technology innovation concept

    Commentary

    How to Galvanise the NHS to Adopt Innovation

    Two achievable and workable high-level approaches can help innovation take place within the National Health Service. These focus on mobilising people, and systems within the health service.

    12 Apr 2016

  • Telemedicine consultation

    Project

    Galvanising the NHS to Adopt Innovation

    A series of interviews and workshops helped RAND Europe evaluate three measures proposed as part of the NHS Accelerated Access Review interim report to encourage the adoption of innovation. RAND assessed the feasibility of the measures and factors likely to facilitate or challenge their success.

    22 Mar 2016

  • A group of young people talking on a staircase

    Commentary

    What Makes for High-Performing Research? The Right Mix of Staff and Appropriate Leadership

    With many different higher education institutions in the UK covering a diverse range of disciplines, and delivering research in a variety of ways, it can be difficult to determine the qualities and characteristics of “high-performing” higher education institutions.

    22 Feb 2016

  • Cover image for Innovation, Health and Wealth report

    Project

    Innovation, Health and Wealth: A Formative and Summative Evaluation

    The Department of Health’s strategy for improving care and creating greater wealth through innovation, known as ‘Innovation, Health and Wealth’ (IHW), has the potential to systematically change the way the NHS operates. RAND Europe evaluated whether and how IHW actions have worked as planned and contributed to achieving the strategy's overarching aims.

    13 Jan 2016