Research on Research

We use a range of innovative methods to help policymakers understand the returns and outcomes from investing in scientific and social research

Research, commentary, and events

Project
Examining proposal evaluation processes used in Horizon 2020
03 Feb 2022

Broadly speaking, proposal evaluation processes in Horizon 2020 were fair and transparent. However, there may be scope to improve consistency and the feedback provided, and to reduce the burden and conservatism of the process.
Commentary
The Future of REF: Driving a Culture to Maximise High-Quality Research and Impact
14 Dec 2021

RAND Europe studied the attitudes of the UK’s research community towards the Research Excellence Framework. Through surveys, interviews and focus groups, the study team was able to gain valuable insight into researcher views across disciplines, career stages and types of institutions.
Project
Understanding researcher views on REF 2021
24 Nov 2021

A real-time evaluation of the REF 2021 assessment process found that overall views on the REF are mixed. Many researchers perceive that the REF has a negative influence on UK researchers and the research community, but views on specific aspects and influences of the REF are more nuanced.
Commentary
Engaging Different Types of Practitioners in the Complex Social Policy Area of Adverse Childhood Experiences
21 Oct 2021

Understanding how stakeholders make sense of and prioritise available evidence can help improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. A modified Delphi approach could engage with stakeholders with different, overlapping expertise and help open a way to this understanding.
Multimedia
The Future of Research Assessments
17 Sep 2021

How do researchers expect the types of research they produce to change in the next 5 to 10 years? In this Expert Insights podcast, Catriona Manville and Susan Guthrie discuss the future of the research landscape and how changes may affect the nature of research assessment in the UK.
Project
Tackling societal challenges and guiding the future of research and innovation in Norway
09 Aug 2021

Researchers identified 20 priority missions and 10 structural measures that could help the Research Council of Norway to develop a strong and resilient research and innovation environment across a range of strategic areas.
Commentary
Commercialisation and Open Science Do Not Have to Be Uneasy Bedfellows
06 Aug 2021

On the surface, tension exists between commercialization and open science approaches to research. But the two approaches are not irreconcilable—they can exist in harmony and complement one another to generate greater impact from investments in research and innovation.
Project
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.
Commentary
Before Redesigning the REF, a New Survey Could Help in Understanding What Is and Isn’t Working
06 Oct 2020

September's call for more sustainable and agile research funding signaled a renewed push by research-intensive universities in the UK for a funding and assessment system with a lighter touch. Before embarking on a further round of changes, it is important to listen and learn from researchers and managers about what has and has not worked well.
Project
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.
Commentary
The Future of Research Outputs
12 May 2020

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.
Commentary
Leading with the Proper Use of Scientific Evidence Is Better Than Hiding Behind It
05 May 2020

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.
Project
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.
Project
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.
Commentary
What Is the Future of England's Research and Research Assessment?
01 Nov 2019

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.