RSS Impact case studies

Delivering guidance on the sentencing of mothers to safeguard children

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

An estimated 312,000 children annually lose a parent to imprisonment in England and Wales. Research on how the sentencing of mothers affects children has changed practice for judges, magistrates and Probation Officers, who now consider how children will be affected by their parents’ sentence.

Shaping Welsh government policy with research evidence

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

The Wales Centre for Public Policy is helping to inform and shape policy decisions by presenting research evidence directly to government ministers, producing over 120 studies in the last five years – supporting effective policymaking and benefiting public services across Wales.

Research underpins new minimum age of criminal responsibility in Scotland

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

The 20-year Edinburgh study of 4,300 young people shaped the Scottish Parliament bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12 years, and underpins a radical change in policy to counter youth offending.

Changing practices and supporting parents for infant post-mortems

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

Medical and sociological research into non-invasive baby post-mortem using MRI imaging has changed NHS training and post-mortem care processes, increased uptake in post-mortem consent by parents, and initiated new bereavement support groups.

Safeguarding elections and strengthening accountability in new democracies

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

Research on legislatures and political parties has strengthened practice towards over 30 developing countries worldwide, while findings on vote manipulation are helping the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other organisations to safeguard elections.

Sparking science diversity and participation with science capital

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

Findings from the ASPIRES study have informed a new approach to science teaching which supports more young people, from more diverse backgrounds, to engage with science – reaching over 600,000 students and informing education policy in over 20 countries.

Research makes police custody more 'autism-friendly'

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

Autistic individuals are estimated to be seven times more likely than the general population to come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Research into how they are affected by police custody has led to new autism guidance for all police in the East Midlands, shaped the design of 'autism-friendly' custody cells, and changed police practice in supporting neuro-divergent individuals in custody.

Increasing the number of women in the IT sector

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Nearly 35% of the workforce in India’s tech sector are women, compared to less than 18% in the UK. Research stimulated tech industry engagement, launching a national Indian scorecard and informing a UK strategy for diversity in the tech sector.

Helping separating couples to settle out of court

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Research resulted in improved practice for out-of-court family dispute resolution, better information online, and a video about available mediation options which has been widely adopted.

Reducing school dropout in Lesotho and Malawi

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Flexible learning methods such as self-study guides and catch-up clubs reduced school dropout rates in Lesotho and Malawi up to 45% – ensuring that disadvantaged children don’t miss out on their education.

Research puts wellbeing at the core of public policy evaluation

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Evidence from the What Works Centre for Wellbeing was instrumental for the HM Treasury’s move to explicitly use wellbeing as a core consideration in appraising and evaluating public policy.

Database supporting peace settlements worldwide

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 23:00:00 GMT

The Language of Peace database has helped mediators negotiate peace settlements around the world, from negotiating a peace plan for Syria to addressing the crisis in Yemen and brokering the independence of Kosovo.

Changing breastfeeding policies worldwide

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 23:00:00 GMT

Research on infant feeding routines and disincentives to breastfeeding have influenced policy, strategy and clinical guidelines in the UK and around the world.

Building capacity, impact and innovation

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:45:00 GMT

Over the past decade Professor Matt Flinders has promoted and built impact capacity across the social sciences through his creation of new approaches, institutions, training initiatives and opportunities for engagement.

Cutting carbon footprints in the service sector

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:31:00 GMT

The service sector comprises around 80% of the UK economy, using significant amounts of energy. Research informed the introduction of sustainable practices into the UK’s £6.2 billion hairdressing sector, reducing the carbon footprint of haircare salons.

Research raised international awareness of persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:24:00 GMT

Research raised worldwide awareness of the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and highlighted possible stages in a process of genocide.

Transforming relationships and sexuality education

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:21:00 GMT

Research involving children and young people on their experiences of gender and sexual violence has changed Welsh legislation, sparked youth activism on sexual injustice and violence, and is reshaping relationships and sexuality education in schools.

Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of employment tribunal fees

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:16:00 GMT

Research evidence presented to the Supreme Court led to a unanimous ruling that employment tribunal fees of up to £1,200 for claimants, introduced in 2013, were unlawful.

Helping the UK's missing millions to vote

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:14:00 GMT

Government measures to encourage eight million eligible UK voters to join the electoral register were prompted by research, and helped boost voter registrations by two million in the run-up to the 2016 EU Referendum.

Using crowd psychology to boost public safety

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:13:00 GMT

Crowd psychology research has enhanced crowd management practices for over 700 local emergency specialists, improved safety for 125,000 festival goers and changed stadium safety procedures throughout UEFA’s 55 member organisations.