Research Projects on Science, Technology, and Innovation

Protecting human rights in the digital age
01 Feb 2021

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has commissioned RAND Europe to conduct a study aimed at identifying and scoping impactful ideas for interventions and activities to foster and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms online.
The use of public engagement for technological innovation
29 Jan 2021

Because different public engagement techniques may be more or less effective in promoting selected outcomes, researchers found that a diverse range of techniques should be used to engage the public in technological innovation.
Reviewing the role and contributions of the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Genome Campus
20 Jan 2021

An evaluation of the contributions of the Wellcome Sanger Institute found that it acts as a leader in genetics and genomics research and international collaborations, shaped by the institute’s specific values and ethos around openness, data sharing and collaboration.
Helping to inform the future of research and innovation in Norway
04 Jan 2021

Through a mixed-methods, participatory approach, researchers are helping the Research Council of Norway to develop a strong and resilient research and innovation environment in Norway in the strategic areas of oceans, green transition, health and welfare, cohesion and globalisation, and technology and digitalisation.
Technology and the future of cybercrime
15 Dec 2020

To prepare for and mitigate the impact of emerging technologies on cybercrime, Estonia could consider broad anti-cybercrime capacity building; seek legal, regulatory and organisational agility; and invest in technological expertise, skills and research.
Using social media data to ‘nowcast’ migration around the globe
05 Nov 2020

Because official statistics can be delayed or fail to correctly capture the full extent of migration, making informed policy decisions can be a challenge. Researchers are developing an approach to compute near real-time migration estimates for Europe and the United States using social media data.
Understanding researcher views on REF2021
07 Sep 2020

To understand researcher perceptions around the Research Excellence Framework, how they view the experience, and how it affects academic environments, RAND Europe is leading a real-time evaluation of the REF 2021 assessment process while researchers submit their work.
Understanding the performance of the oncology healthcare system
27 Aug 2020

Researchers identified a number of key indicators that can be used to analyse elements of the oncology health system from different perspectives, and then used these indicators to create an overarching scorecard for oncology ecosystem performance.
Evaluating the development of the Q initiative from 2016-2020
13 Jul 2020

The Q initiative has established itself as an important resource for quality improvement in health and care, supporting members with skills, new relationships and self-confidence. However, to deliver change at scale there is a need to build on these achievements.
Assessing the impacts of digital government transformation in the EU
26 Jun 2020

A case study on the use of body worn cameras by police forces in the UK offers an example of how governments can potentially take advantage of emerging digital technologies to address systemic challenges.
The benefits and drawbacks of remote voting solutions
25 Jun 2020

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.
Using machine learning to detect malign information efforts online
23 Jun 2020

Social media is increasingly being used by human and automated users to distort information, erode trust in democracy and incite extremist views. Our research produced a machine learning model that can successfully detect Russian trolls.
Exploring the criminal use of Zcash and cryptocurrencies
06 May 2020

While most transactions made with virtual coins are legitimate, cryptocurrencies have also been used for criminal purposes. Researchers found no evidence of widespread illicit use of Zcash, but that may be because malicious users do not fully understand its operating model.
Helping UK Water Industry Research assess its research impact
16 Mar 2020

Researchers conducted a series of interviews with UKWIR member organisations and developed recommendations to help the members better understand how to measure research impact in the water sector, and how to create a framework for measuring impact.
Examining innovation in citizen science
17 Feb 2020

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.
Assessing the use of new technologies for infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control
14 Jan 2020

RAND Europe is providing research and support for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for the assessment of new technologies for infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control over the next two years.
Understanding the UK's pregnancy research needs and priorities
14 Jan 2020

A review of the research needs and expenditure on pregnancy in the UK found that £51 million is invested in pregnancy research each year. By contrast, the NHS spends £5.8 billion on pregnancy-related care each year and in 2018/19 litigation claims totalled £2.5 billion.
Supporting the Observatory on the Online Platform Economy
14 Jan 2020

In support of the Observatory on the Online Platform Economy, researchers are examining various aspects of the relationships between platforms and their business users: terms and conditions, ranking of search engine results by algorithms, pricing, access to data by platforms, and more.
How AI can support the European Border and Coast Guard
06 Jan 2020

Researchers are exploring how Frontex, Europe's border and coast guard agency, can maximise the opportunity provided by artificial intelligence to support the management of the EU's external borders.
Measuring migration using big data
12 Dec 2019

Social media data may help decisionmakers to 'nowcast' migration flows and stocks of migrants. A team of researchers attempted to develop a method of measuring real-time mobility and migration. The results of the study were promising.