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Objective Policy Analysis: Putting the pieces together
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
In 2008 we celebrated two milestones. is year marked the
60th birthday of the RAND Corporation, established as an
independent, non-profit research institute in 1948 to further
and promote scientific, educational and charitable purposes.
We also opened our new Brussels office, which puts us at the
heart of European policy making.
RAND’s journey over 60 years has been extraordinary.
Having started out as a one-client defence research project,
RAND is now a global institute, providing high-quality,
objective research and analysis on key policy issues. Our
work encompasses a broad spectrum of social
and economic challenges in areas such as
health, social care, poverty, education,
transport, crime and the environment.
Enduring values
We are undoubtedly an organisation that
thrives on complexity. We seek out tough
policy problems and difficult analytical challenges. However RAND’s own formula
for success is a very simple one.
Reflecting on the two events
above – one looking back
at 60 years of achievement, the other looking
forward to new opportunities – I am struck
by the way in which
a single set of values
underpins both.
From its earliest
2 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
RAND Europe staff at RAND’s 60th birthday event
days, RAND quickly established a reputation for:
objectivity: being scrupulously impartial on every issue;
quality: applying rigorous research quality standards to
every problem.
At RAND Europe we apply the same values daily in
our recruitment decisions, our internal processes, our client
projects and our own self-funded research. Our values
provide us with a stable foundation when all else is in flux.
Underlying these core values is another important principle:
a commitment to improving the public good. RAND Europe
is not for profit. Our mission is to improve policy and decision making through research and analysis.
Policy issues change and new demands arise. By consistently applying core RAND principles, our Cambridge office
has grown from 6 to 60 staff in six years; we are tackling a
greater diversity of projects than ever before, and our work is
increasingly known and trusted by policymakers.
The right people
Like any knowledge organisation, we seek to hire bright
people – but they must also be the right people for us. ey
Dumbleton Studio (left), Joanna Anthony Photography (top)
OUR YEAR
must share our belief that good policy is based on sound
evidence. ey must be objective and impartial in their
approach. ey must be excited by each new research challenge, and innovative enough to adapt, refine or combine
methodologies to generate the most important insights and
effective solutions.
If someone has all these qualities, I know they can
succeed here, whatever their background or expertise. We
have profiled some RAND Europe people on pages 10–13 to
show the diversity and energy they bring. It was very hard to
pick a few when there are so many exceptional others.
Flexible to new challenges
e European policy agenda is constantly evolving. Obesity
and ageing populations are recent concerns. New security
threats have replaced those of the 1990s. An expanding
European Union means greater diversity and new crossborder trade and migration patterns. e worldwide financial
market upheavals in 2008 have forced dramatic policy
responses, while changes of government invariably bring new
priorities and perspectives.
Our flexible structure allows us to respond effectively
to new demands. By organising around a few broad research
areas (right), we maintain and deepen our expertise on key
topics. We also actively encourage multidisciplinary working
to stimulate creative thinking on new and old problems.
Building for the future (in turbulent times)
We took several steps in 2008 to help us increase our future
impact. We launched ICJ Europe, a joint venture with
the RAND Institute for Criminal Justice (ICJ) which will
generate cutting-edge research on European and global
law and finance. We created a new Information Policy &
Economics research team to extend and inform our work in
the fast-changing information economy. We also took initial
RAND Europe research areas
steps towards establishing a Policy Council to help us build a
strong network of support for our self-funded initiatives such
as our new ‘promising practices’ platform to provide information on interventions to address a range of social problems.
Paradoxically, thinking about where we may be going
brings me back to where we started. In turbulent times, solid
research is more essential than ever to inform difficult decisions. We cannot predict the future, only prepare for it. Our
core values of objectivity and quality, and commitment to the
public good have helped RAND grow and remain relevant
over 60 years. I’m confident RAND Europe can do the same.
Jonathan Grant, President, RAND Europe
jgrant@rand.org
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 3
OUR NEW OFFICE
On 1 October, RAND Europe
celebrated the opening of our new
Brussels office with a reception
attended by European Commission
President José Manuel Barroso
and a host of guests from the
Commission, European Union,
and private and charitable sectors.
1
e new office demonstrates our
commitment to a pan-European vision and places RAND at
the heart of European policy making.
Introducing President Barroso, Constantijn van OranjeNassau, Brussels office head, said: “RAND Europe wants to
become Europe’s trusted source for policy research, recognised for the quality and independence of its work. We share
a passion for better policy making supported by evidence.”
President Barroso commented that RAND Europe’s objective
research complements the Commission’s priority to develop
better and less burdensome regulation.
2
3
1 The new office at 37, Square de Meeus, 1000-Brussels,
Belgium. 2 Jonathan Grant (President, RAND Europe), José
4 Alexander Italianer (Deputy Secretary General, European
Manuel Barroso (President, European Commission), James A.
Commission), Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau and Jacki Davis
Thomson (President and CEO, RAND Corporation), Constantijn
(Communications Director, European Policy Centre) – left to right.
van Oranje-Nassau (Head of Brussels office, RAND Europe) – left
5 Antoinette Spaak (Minister of State, Belgium) and Mark Eyskens
to right. 3 A. Michael Hoffman (Chairman, Palamon Capital
(former Prime Minister of Belgium). 6 Guests during the speakers’
Partners) with Louis-Henri Verbeke (Chairman, Vlerick Leuven Gent
programme. 7 José Manuel Barroso (President, European
Management School) – left to right.
Commission) delivering the keynote speech.
4 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
4
7
David Plas
5
6
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 5
RAND IS 60
Politics Aside: Celebrating RAND’s 60-year legacy
For 60 years RAND has been expanding the boundaries of
knowledge with its unique blend of independence, cuttingedge research and desire to improve the public good. In 2008
RAND celebrated this enduring legacy with Politics Aside: an
opportunity for individuals across the political spectrum to
explore vital global issues in the wake of the US presidential
election. Distinguished opinion formers, decision makers,
philanthropists and current and former government officials
from around the world attended the event at RAND’s headquarters campus in Santa Monica, California, along with
senior RAND leaders. e three-day programme included 15
panel discussions with 60 speakers, and 13 themed dinners.
RAND Europe made a strong contribution, with
RAND Europe President Jonathan Grant leading a discussion on population ageing which explored the world
demographic outlook and the challenges posed by an ageing
society. RAND Europe Trustee Michael Portillo – former UK
Secretary of State for Defence – chaired a lively discussion
on ‘e New Global Agenda’ attended by no fewer than
four former state leaders: Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of
Pakistan (2004–07); José María Aznar, Prime Minister of
Spain (1996–2004); Carl Bildt, Prime Minister of Sweden
(1991–94); and Vicente Fox, President of Mexico (2000–06).
Other wide-ranging Politics Aside debates included:
e future of public service
Contending with a second nuclear age
Energy and national security
Changing military for a changing world
Public diplomacy for a new American president
e rise of China and India.
1
2
6 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
3
Diane Baldwin/RAND, except 7, Gregory Mancuso
6
4
7
1 James A. Thomson (President and CEO, RAND Corporation).
2 Audience at a plenary session. 3 Carl Bildt, Shaukat Aziz and
Vicente Fox – members of The Global Agenda panel.
4 The Global Agenda panel in action. 5 Ann Korologos
(Chairman, RAND Board of Trustees) and Tom Korologos (former
US Ambassador to Belgium). 6 Jonathan Grant (President, RAND
Europe), Robert Hunter (Senior Adviser, RAND Corporation) and
Linda Martin (Senior Fellow, RAND Corporation) – the panel on
population ageing. 7 Michael Portillo (Trustee, RAND Europe) with
5
Harold Brown (Trustee Emeritus, RAND Corporation).
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 7
OUR NEW INITIATIVES
Lynne Saylor with Michael Palliser, former chair of RAND Europe
Advisory Board
RAND Europe Policy Council
In 2008 we began the process of establishing a RAND
Europe Policy Council. “Our goal is to build an enduring
and effective network of friends and supporters who appreciate the impact of policy on people’s lives and wish to help
us undertake research on issues that are too big, too controversial or too embryonic for conventional client-funded
research,”explains Lynne Saylor, who leads the initiative.
Recent RAND-initiated research has explored policy and
security issues related to the 2012 Olympic Games, the
possible radicalisation of prisoners by extremist groups, a
database of promising practices to help charities and funders
make informed decisions (see opposite) and whether new
roads generate more traffic.
We took the first step towards creating a Policy Council
by hosting a reception in London in June, with kind support
from long-term RAND friend A. Michael Hoffman. e
event brought together a diverse group of clients, advisers,
alumni, donors and collaborators for an evening of
thoughtful debate. We intend this to be the first in a series of
conversations to help us develop future research partnerships
on issues of lasting importance.
8 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
David Plas
Information Policy & Economics
Information Policy & Economics (IPE) was launched as a
separate team at the start of the 2008 financial year. e new
team builds on RAND Europe’s extensive experience of the
policy challenges of a rapidly-changing information economy.
Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau, IPE team leader, says:
“Emerging disruptive technologies are creating new opportunities and risks for governments, citizens and businesses, as
our environment becomes increasingly interconnected. IPE
offers insight in the European context to help our public and
private sector clients stay ahead of the curve.”
IPE’s multidisciplinary research approach combines
econometric analysis of trends, markets and policy impacts
with statistics and qualitative tools like scenario gaming.
rough our close links with colleagues in the RAND
Corporation, we also cover the full scope of developments in
the US. Our current work includes areas such as new public
governance models that facilitate citizen participation; the use
of ICT to improve government and public service delivery;
privacy, information security and cyber crime; regulation of
converging communication and media markets; and anticipating the policy challenges of the next era of the Internet
and its increasingly central role in the economy and society.
Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau
Promising Practices Platform
Funders and service providers increasingly need to know
about the quality and impact of interventions when tackling
social problems. However, evidence available is often patchy
and fragmented. For example, a local authority might award
a meals-on-wheels contract to a low cost, ‘drop-off’ provider,
unaware that social contact has health benefits for housebound people, so that a more labour-intensive visitor service
would better improve health and reduce care costs.
is platform aims to gather information on initiatives
across a range of social challenges: highlighting what seems to
be working and where, and providing tools to help measure
impact and reveal gaps in provision or knowledge. Evidence
can then be shared, compared and analysed. RAND funded
and conducted an initial scoping study to assess the need for
such a platform and the options for presenting impact data.
We will now pilot the initiative, with the support of both
foundation and public sector partners and funders. e pilot
platform will focus initially on three areas: carbon emissions
reduction, reducing reoffending and improving educational
outcomes. “e aim is to capture and share promising innovations, promote learning and prevent duplication of effort
and wasted resources,” says Jennifer Rubin, project co-leader.
“It’s an ambitious project to address a complex need.”
ICJ Europe is a new joint venture between RAND Europe
and the RAND Institute of Civil Justice (ICJ) – the leading
source of independent research on civil legal matters in
the US. Our aims are to raise awareness of emerging issues
in global law and finance, and generate new, cutting-edge
research to inform tomorrow’s policy debates. We work in
partnership with academics, practitioners, legal experts and
leading policy researchers across Europe’s civil justice system.
ICJ Europe’s research agenda will encompass global
topics such as legal risk transfer and mass litigation financing.
We will also explore trends in litigation and the market for
legal services in the UK and continental Europe, as well as
the regulation of these markets. Given Europe’s importance
to financial markets and trends in the globalisation of legal
risk, we hope to build interest from corporations, professional
associations and individuals, and private foundations, as well
as public policy makers.
Neil Rickman, head of ICJ Europe, comments: “We
want to do more than generate journal articles and academic
conferences. Our goal is to lead and influence new thinking
about the interaction of law, economics and finance.”
Tom Crawley
Jennifer Rubin
David Plas
ICJ Europe
Professor Neil Rickman
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 9
OUR PEOPLE
Helen Rebecca Schindler Information Policy &
Philipp-Bastian
Brutscher Emerging Areas
I’ve worked in almost every RAND Europe research area
this year – Emerging Areas is both an incubator for new
ideas and a resource for other teams. I’m currently working
with Evaluation & Audit colleagues on their European social
policy project, and with Health & Healthcare colleagues
examining the relationship between alcohol affordability,
consumption and harm.
After completing my MPhil in Economics, I wanted
to work on real problems and see my work translated into
action. I had offers from mainstream economic consultancies,
but I felt RAND offered more variety and impact. In my first
month I met Lord Darzi, the UK Health Minister, to present
ideas from my research on innovation that might be relevant
to health service delivery. And I recently represented RAND
Europe at a major international conference, presenting our
work on health research evaluation models. I was also looking
for a fun environment with a strong team culture. In fact,
the real reason I joined RAND Europe was probably their
football team!
10 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
Economics
Working in Brussels with the IPE team is an ideal fit for me.
Both my Master’s degrees focused on new technologies and
how they shape economies and societies. e IPE team offers
me a unique opportunity to work on a very diverse range
of issues where IT, economics and policy making intersect.
For the Dutch telecom regulator, I assessed the impact of
converging telecom and media markets on regulation and
governance. I have also advised on the design of the 2.6 Ghz
frequency spectrum auction in the UK, and assessed social
impacts of key ICT trends.
Before joining RAND Europe, I worked at the
European Commission during the early phases of policy
making on Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology. I’m currently analysing the costs and benefits of this
technology in delivering better and more efficient healthcare
across Europe, and the policy issues this raises.
Our official Brussels office opening was the highlight
of 2008 for me. I see it as a great opportunity to strengthen
our presence in the EU. We definitely have the resources and
expertise to be an important part of Europe’s policy-making
landscape.
Sharif Ismail Science & Technology Team
For me 2008 was a mix of new projects and opportunities to
build on previous work. ‘INSPIRE’ is a big new project is for
the European Commission. We’re creating an evidence base
for the 2010–20 European Social Policy, which will address
multiple labour market and social cohesion issues. We are
reviewing current practice and creating scenarios around
future challenges and policy choices. Another new project is
assessing civil service reforms in new member states, to help
them build the administrative capacity to implement EU
policies. We have received responses from 3000 civil servants
in Central and Eastern Europe – the biggest such survey ever
undertaken in Europe.
I’ve also been extending our work on fraud and error in
social security systems. Our earlier study looked at OECD
benefit systems for the UK’s National Audit Office. Now the
World Bank wants our help in understanding the implications for mid-income developing countries. I’ve been to
Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan this year to analyse their problems
and share good practice. I did my PhD in Government, and
it’s the mix of academic rigour plus real policy impact that
keeps me here. RAND Europe gives me the freedom to take
on interesting clients and do really innovative work.
Portraits: Dumbleton Studio
Chris van Stolk Evaluation & Audit
I joined RAND Europe late in 2007, so 2008 was my first
full year. I’ve worked on a variety of projects, not all sciencerelated. One of the good things about RAND was that they
genuinely welcomed my eclectic background – a natural
sciences degree and an MA in Middle East studies. e
commitment to cross-cutting research is real, not a marketing
line. ere’s a huge mix of experience and expertise here.
I initially worked on the Economic Returns project,
which traces the impact of research undertaken 20 years ago
and quantifies its value to the UK economy. We developed
some innovative approaches, working with specialist health
economists. e results will help inform future funding
decisions. We also hope the project will act as an agenda for
further research on economic returns.
I’m currently seconded to the Institute for Government,
an independent body that looks primarily at the machinery
of government in the UK, and seeks to learn lessons from
international practice. My project analyses service delivery in
central and local government. I’m based in Whitehall at the
heart of the political networks, then come back to Cambridge
for part of each week. It gives me a chance to reflect on the
issues in a more considered way.
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 11
OUR PEOPLE
Samir Puri Defence & Security
Phillipa Towlson Project and ISO Management
At any time, RAND Europe typically has around 130
projects and 80 proposals open. It’s my job to ensure that
our internal business and project management processes
match the high standards of our research output processes.
e two are intertwined – the more professional our business
processes, the better we can serve our clients. One of our key
performance metrics is client satisfaction.
When I joined RAND Europe, my first task was to
secure ISO 9001:2000 accreditation. Our reporting, documentation, risk management, internal and client feedback
processes are assessed against 104 quality criteria. With
accreditation in place, my focus in 2008 has been to embed
business quality processes into our culture as we grow. We’re
now viewed as business process innovators within RAND,
and other offices are asking us for advice, for example on
evaluating client satisfaction.
I originally trained as a scientist and policy adviser
before doing my MBA, so I take a methodical and analytical
approach to delivering business process improvement. It’s a
delicate balance: researchers need a clear framework to guide
them, but we need to build in some flexibility as well.
12 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
In 2008 I spent several months in RAND’s Washington
office under our internal Fellowship scheme. It was an excellent opportunity to build relationships with colleagues and
to see US policy making close up, with our office situated
right next door to the Pentagon. My time there was spent
working on a project analysing the structural causes of instability in Pakistan to help inform policy making around the
US–Pakistan partnership.
Back in Europe, my projects included a study of
future skills needed in the UK naval industry, and a review
of routine procurement processes for the UK Ministry of
Defence – the latter drawing on skills in our Evaluation &
Audit team.
Complementing my work here, I’m currently pursuing
a PhD in International Studies at Cambridge University with
support from RAND Europe. My thesis examines bargaining
and coercion theories in modern conflicts involving violent
non-state groups. In my other guise as an EU and OSCE
election observer, I spent December 2007 in Kenya monitoring the fraught presidential election. e experience
certainly brought home the importance of understanding
what happens when theories such as democracy break down
and individual
beliefs and local loyalties take over.
Peter Burge Modelling
I heard about RAND before moving to the UK from New
Zealand. I was working as an environmental health scientist
following my Master’s degree in Public Health, and exploring
opportunities for overseas experience. What attracted me to
RAND was the reputation for quality research on topics of
immediate relevance to policy makers.
A big project for me this year was launching RAND
Europe’s new Health Research Observatory, which we set up
with seed funding from the UK Department of Health. We
produce reports on country health research systems and on
themes of international importance such as ethics and health
research evaluation frameworks. Over time, we will build up
a membership base and expand our range of activities. As far
as we know, there’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
I’m also collaborating with researchers outside RAND
to evaluate two large quality improvement schemes in acute
and primary care across the UK health service, using mixed
methodologies such as interviews, delphi survey and costconsequences analysis. Working across teams and having
access to the wide range of expertise in the organisation really
helps me develop my skills.
Portraits: Dumbleton Studio
Amanda Scoggins Health & Healthcare
I’ve seen some significant changes in RAND Europe’s
modelling work since I joined in 2001. Our research remains
focused on understanding choice behaviour, but we have
diversified from transport to a range of new sectors. e challenge of applying an intrinsically complex methodology to
different areas is one I find immensely stimulating.
is year I’ve helped analyse the priorities of water
customers for five water companies that serve a third of
the UK population. is research will help them build an
evidence-based business case for new investment to the
industry regulator. Another project helped the Royal Mail
understand how business customers choose between different
mail products, to inform their pricing decisions. I’m also
providing support to a RAND Europe project examining
the extent to which the public are prepared to trade off their
privacy and liberties in return for greater national security.
I have a number of exciting new projects on the horizon,
including one for the UK Department of Health on what
people want from social care. Like most of our work, it could
have a big impact on policy decisions that affect people’s lives.
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 13
OUR TRUSTEES
e year 2008 saw some notable changes in RAND
Europe’s Board of Trustees. Lord Renwick of Clifton, to
whom we give our thanks, retired from the Board after
providing support and counsel to us for many years.
We welcomed four new Board members: Philippa
Foster Back, Nigel Crisp, Frank Kelly and Michael
Portillo, who joined a distinguished group of existing
Trustees. We are grateful to all our Trustees for their diverse
expertise, perspective and demonstrated commitment to
thoughtful, non-partisan inquiry. eir guidance and support
enriches our mission to improve policy and decision making
through objective research and analysis.
Lynne Saylor
RAND Europe Board of Trustees
Trustees at the January 2008 Board meeting
Full list of Board of Trustees
James A. omson (Chairman)
President and Chief Executive Officer, RAND
Corporation
Philippa Foster Back OBE
Director, Institute of Business Ethics
United Kingdom
Sir John Boyd KCMG
Retired Master, Churchill College, University of
Cambridge
Chairman, Needham Research Institute
United Kingdom
Lord Crisp KCB
Former Chief Executive, National Health Service
Permanent Secretary, Department of Health
United Kingdom
14 SPOTLIGHT ON 2008
Sir Lawrence Freedman
Professor of War Studies and Vice Principal (Research)
King’s College London
United Kingdom
Jonathan Grant
President, RAND Europe
Frank Kelly FRS
Master, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
Philip Lader
Chairman, e WPP Group
Former US Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s
Trustee, RAND Corporation
Michael Portillo
Former Cabinet Minister
United Kingdom
OUR CLIENTS
& RESEARCH PARTNERS
Public sector
UK
Arts Council England
British Library
Buckinghamshire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Cornwall County Council
Department of Health
Department for Transport
Higher Education Funding Council
for England
Information Commissioners Office
Medical Research Council
Met Office
Ministry of Defence
Ofgem
Olympic Development Authority
Postwatch
Qualifications and Curriculum
Authority
Transport for London
Audit bodies
National Audit Office
Audit Commission
European Commission
Directorate-General for Employment
Directorate-General for Energy and
Transport
Directorate-General for Health and
Consumer Affairs
Directorate-General for Information
Society and Media
Directorate-General for Justice,
Freedom and Security
European Environmental Agency
Other
Koninklijke Bibliotheek
Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken
Ministerie van Defensie
Ministerie van Economische Zaken
OECD
Onafhankelijke Post en Telecom
Authoriteit (OPTA)
World Bank
Academic
Brunel University – Health
Economics Research Group
Imperial College – Centre for
Transport Studies
Potsdam University
University College London
University of Kent – Personal Social
Services Research Unit
Foundations, professional
bodies and not-for-profit
organisations
Arthritis Research Campaign
Association of Medical Research
Charities
Bertelsmann Stiftung
British Academy
Canadian Academy of Health
Sciences
Carnegie UK Trust
General Medical Council
General Teaching Council for
England
Institute for Government
King’s Fund
Papworth Trust
Royal Society of Arts
Reumafonds
e Health Foundation
Trimbos Institute
Private sector
Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds
Accent
British Telecom
BUPA
Deloitte & Touche
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Johnson & Johnson
GNKS Consult
Halcrow
Mid Kent Water
Mott MacDonald
Northumbrian Water
Royal Mail
Schering-Plough
Scott Wilson Group plc
Scottish Water
Significance
Welsh Water
WSP Development & Transport
SPOTLIGHT ON 2008 15
CONTACT RAND Europe
OUR RESEARCH TEAMS
OUR OFFICES
Defence & Security
RAND Europe
Hans Pung
hpung@rand.org
Westbrook Centre
Emerging Areas
Cambridge CB4 1YG
Milton Road
Jennifer Rubin
United Kingdom
jkrubin@rand.org
Tel: +44 1223 353329
Evaluation & Audit
Jonathan Grant (President)
Public
Good
Tom Ling
tling@rand.org
Health & Healthcare
Lynne Saylor (Head of
Communications)
37, Square de Meeus
Tom Ling (Acting Director)
1000-Brussels
tling@rand.org
Belgium
OUR WEBSITE
Tel: +32 2 791 7500
Information Policy & Economics
Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau
Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau
oranje@rand.org
(Head of Brussels office)
Modelling
Charlene Rohr
crohr@rand.org
Science & Technology
Steven Wooding
wooding@rand.org
www.rand.org/randeurope
For RAND Europe 2008 publications go to:
www.rand.org/randeurope/publications/spotlight/
CP-531 (2008)
Spotlight team: Lynne Saylor (Head of Communications, RAND Europe) & Business Literacy Ltd, Cambridge, UK