We work with our researchers to condense the latest research evidence into accessible, relevant and timely policy briefs.
Policy notes provide short two-page synopses, whereas our policy briefs provide slightly more in-depth treatments while still being concise.
- Protecting wellbeing and resilience in BAME families and communities during a public health emergency. Policy note 5, 15 June 2022. Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic families and communities were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. A framework is proposed to ensure responses to future public health emergencies are culturally competent.
- Using geothermal mine water energy for food production. Policy note 4, 21 April 2022. Using geothermal energy from mine water for food production may increase food security in a low carbon way. An action plan to establish a pilot in Leeds has been developed with stakeholders.
- Shared ground heat exchange for the decarbonisation of heat. Policy brief 10, 6 April 2022. Shared ground heat exchange can deliver low carbon heat where other options are not feasible, but they are not supported under current policy.
- UK screen use in 2022: A need for guidance. Policy brief 9, 10 March 2022. Policy brief on the rise in screen use by UK adults and how people think this has affected their health. It discusses the need for guidance on total daily screen time.
- Supporting carers of people with a progressive neurological condition. Position statement 1, 11 January 2022. This position statement outlines five pillars of joint action to improve support for unpaid carers of people with a condition that affects the brain and gets worse over time.
- A practical approach to addressing barriers to national climate adaptation policy in the UK. Policy brief 8, 04 November 2021. Using a map of key barriers to the UK National Adaptation Programme (NAP), a practical approach to addressing these barriers is outlined.
- Expanding the agricultural - sanitation circular economy: opportunities and benefits. Policy note 3, 14 September 2021. Policy note on how expanding the agriculture-sanitation circular economy can address multiple UN policy objectives, through the recovery of water, biomass, and nutrients from sewage at scale.
- Closure of EU Settlement Scheme risks leaving migrant Roma behind. Policy brief 7, 8 Jul 2021. Migrant Roma in the UK face post-deadline challenges following the closure of the EU Settlement Scheme and need continued frontline support to help them retain their rights to live and work in the UK.
- Boosting early years learning during COVID-19. Policy note 2, 25 May 2021. Children who attended Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) during lockdown gained greater language and thinking skills, particularly in children from less advantaged backgrounds. The Government should keep childcare open in the event of future lockdowns and remove barriers to access.
- Developing UK strategy for nuclear SMRs. Policy brief 6, 6 Jan 2021. Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) can play a role in UK decarbonisation. SMR investments are potentially more affordable and less risky, and may attract a range of investors. But the government needs a strategy to support UK SMRs.
- The path to a doughnut shaped recovery. Policy brief 5, 16 Dec 2020. This policy brief considers what it would take to use the doughnut economics model instead of GDP growth to guide our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Tackling childhood food poverty in the UK. Policy brief 4, 9 Dec 2020. Actions needed from national government and local authorities to reduce childhood food poverty where identified by a panel of experts.
- Supporting decision making for resilient net-zero infrastructure. Policy brief 3, 17 Nov 2020. New decision making approaches developed for infrastructure could help recovery from Covid and plan for climate change.
- Using the underground to fight climate change. Policy brief 2, SRI 29. Sept 2020. Using mines or aquifers for heat and energy storage provides an opportunity for low carbon economic regeneration.
- Growing a resilient food system in Leeds. Policy brief 1, SRI 28. Sept 2020. Leeds has many strengths and opportunities to develop a climate resilient food system, but leadership and vision are needed.
- Post-16 maths for all: the role of Core Maths. Policy note 1. Sept 2020. A three year study on the uptake of Core Maths highlights that further support is needed to meet government ambitions.