Publications

Reports

Report: Navigating degrees of certainty

Scientific evidence plays an important role in informing policy decisions. This report combines senior scientists’ advice on communicating uncertainty and advising policymakers, gathered during the Institute’s ‘Science Communication to Policymakers’ workshop, and interviews with senior policy academics, to produce guidance on science advice in climates of uncertainty.

Where next? Uncertainty in transport's path to net zero

The path the UK will take and the implications of this for people’s everyday lives – including who benefits or could be left behind – is still uncertain. To understand the key drivers of this uncertainty on the path to net zero, the Institute for Public Policy Research spoke to a diverse mix of people working across the transport and energy sector.

Reports

cycling

A plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel

The Forum and Transition to Zero Pollution initiative sponsored a roundtable and report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on zero-pollution transport. The report, All Aboard: A plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel, was published in June 2021. It outlines a vision for a transport system that is fair to all, works to improve people’s health and wellbeing and provides a better environment for nature. It cites Imperial academics Professor Mary Ryan, Professor Robert Shorten and Dr Audrey de Nazelle.

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Algorithmic transparency in the public sector

In recent years, public sector organisations in the UK and abroad have increasingly made use of algorithms to assist in decision making. However, concerns exist that the use of algorithms to make complex, high-impact decisions – such as eligibility for benefit payments or social housing – may lead to unfair outcomes and reinforce existing biases. The Forum and the think tank Reform organised a policy hackathon on ‘Algorithmic transparency in the public sector’, and this write up brings together the ideas generated at the event to help solve some of the difficult policy challenges.

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Reports

Downing Street

The use of evidence in government and Parliament

The Forum and the Institute for Government produced a short report on the use of evidence in government and Parliament, informed by two expert roundtables. Recommendations included clarity over responsibility for evidence use in departments and more proactive identification of weaknesses in the evidence underlying policy

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Realising smart regulation in healthcare

The Forum and Reform hosted a policy hackathon on realising smart regulation in healthcare in July 2020. Our report outlines the key recommendations from the experts who take part in the discussions.

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Reports

cycling

A plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel

The Forum and Transition to Zero Pollution initiative sponsored a roundtable and report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on zero-pollution transport. The report, All Aboard: A plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel, was published in June 2021. It outlines a vision for a transport system that is fair to all, works to improve people’s health and wellbeing and provides a better environment for nature. It cites Imperial academics Professor Mary Ryan, Professor Robert Shorten and Dr Audrey de Nazelle.

Read more

blue abstract data image

Algorithmic transparency in the public sector

In recent years, public sector organisations in the UK and abroad have increasingly made use of algorithms to assist in decision making. However, concerns exist that the use of algorithms to make complex, high-impact decisions – such as eligibility for benefit payments or social housing – may lead to unfair outcomes and reinforce existing biases. The Forum and the think tank Reform organised a policy hackathon on ‘Algorithmic transparency in the public sector’, and this write up brings together the ideas generated at the event to help solve some of the difficult policy challenges.

Read more