Impact case studies

Research on carbon accounting led to the development of international benchmarks for corporate performance, more than £500,000 of business investment and a spin-out company benchmarking over 1,000 companies.

New methodology involving users in the design of IT systems has led to substantial savings in local government and a redesign of the national Integrated Children's System.

ESRC-funded research provided crucial evidence for the introduction of a UK National Minimum Wage in 1999, encompassing 1.3 million workers in 2013. The research was cited prior to minimum wage legislation in Hong Kong in 2011 and Germany in 2015.

Amendments to the Justice and Security Act 2013 following Dr Lawrence McNamara's recommendations helped to ensure a better balance between national security and the principles of fair and open justice.

An ESRC internship led to the development of commercial software that can analyse social media comments about a company’s operations and products, revealing potential business risks.

Research on how flag use affects tension between communities in Northern Ireland has transformed understanding and fed into reconciliation strategies.

Using social marketing techniques, researchers at the University of Exeter have influenced Defra policy in segmenting audiences for behavioural change campaigns, and developed a ‘green travel’ app for holidays.

Research into local, sustainable car manufacturing has led to the development of a new business model, adopted by manufacturing companies.

Key research inputs from the ESRC Spatial Economics Research Centre helped underpin development and use of the Manchester Independent Economic Review.

Research has helped improve the design, communication and use of state-of-the-art flooding forecasts – supporting flood planning and responses at local, national and international levels.