To aid development of a ‘Water Strategy’ (seeking to deliver a sustainable and resilient water environment for the future) the Environment Agency (EA) commissioned research to inform this work. The study aimed to understand how the public interacts with the water environment and to gather views, opinions, preferences and current concerns relating to all things water related (including flooding). The research utilised a range of data collection methods, with an online acce

A connected place uses technologies such as a system of sensors, networks and applications to collect data to improve its operation. These technologies also help to develop public spaces by allowing managers of connected places to understand and evaluate changing demands and needs in infrastructure. In 2023, DSIT commissioned us to explore and understand public knowledge, attitudes and confidence levels relating to connected places technologies. Our work involved exploring pu

NIHR's 20 Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) are networks of experts that work collaboratively between NHS trusts and internationally renowned universities. They facilitate early-stage experimental medicine research and support the translation of scientific discoveries. BRCs have received over £2.5 billion in overall investment since their creation in 2007. To prepare for the next funding cycle, NIHR commissioned us to undertake an evaluation of the BRC scheme, to understand

In 2022, DSIT commissioned us to undertake a process evaluation and (subsequently in 2023) an impact evaluation of its flagship UK Cyber Essentials scheme. The process evaluation explored whether the current Cyber Essentials implementation approach was working, and if the scheme was meeting its objectives. The research identified the most common drivers for organisations to adopt Cyber Essentials, the cost and time involved in Cyber Essentials certification (and how this va

We were jointly commissioned by two research councils, MRC and BBSRC (part of the UK Research & Innovation family) to identify skills gaps in UK life sciences to understand the future landscape for the sector. The skills priority review focused on five ‘skills gaps clusters’ including digital skills, data science skills, interdisciplinarity, knowledge exchange and business and compliance skills, and soft skills. The research examined current UK skills gaps across these skills