Responsive Mode Research

Read about our rapid research approaches.

In addition to studies conducted as part of our Work Packages and Themes, BR-UK can conduct responsive mode research. This normally arises when a new societal or economic issue emerges that merits rapid research, or when a request for new work is received from our funder or partner organisations. 

Rapid Systematic Reviews

A systematic review is a comprehensive and structured approach to reviewing existing research on a specific question. A rapid systematic review is a streamlined version of this process using simplified methods to accelerate the review process while attempting to maintain the rigor and transparency of a full systematic review.  To date BR-UK has completed two rapid reviews and also an associated briefing paper in response to a recent commission from the Government Office for Science in consultation with our funder. Details of these are below. 

Changes in social context since and because of Covid-19 that may affect public responses to H5N1

This briefing paper aims to address the following question: How has the UK social context changed since and because of Covid-19, and what effects might this have on public responses to H5N1? This could not be answered by a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies given the country specific context and the need to identify very recent changes. These are unlikely to be reflected in the academic literature given the gap between when research is conducted and publication. Instead, it involved a rapid search of the literature and relevant data and analysis, including unpublished findings from recent government commissioned surveys.

False and Misleading Information: An Evidence Summary and Map for Policy and Practice

This report outlines findings from an evidence review (covering the period 2020-2025) informed by expert consultation to respond to a need across government for a robust, accessible synthesis of current evidence on false and misleading information. This includes such information across online platforms, AI systems, mainstream and blended media, private communication channels, web and advertising ecosystems. The report focuses on how such information should be understood and measured; what the impacts of it is, and which interventions are effective in countering and mitigating harms from such information.

This work was funded through a tender commissioned by the Government Office for Science and was supported and conducted as part of Behavioural Research UK.

Enquiries regarding the report should be addressed to Dr Harriet Baird via email to harriet.baird[@]sheffield.ac.uk

Rapid Response Research

Rapid response projects focus on arising issues, not currently identified as areas of study for the Hub. They involve rapidly collecting and analysing data to address behavioural research questions. 

Following the UK summer disorder, and in collaboration with Professor John Drury, Professor Clifford Stott and others, BR-UK funded and contributed to a mixed-methods study with the core objective to identify and consider the processes and impacts of the 2024 riots in England. The research aimed to generate findings that can inform policy and practice to reduce the likelihood of similar events.  The protocol for the research is available on our Open Science Framework site.  This research enabled the team to respond to the Home Office Committee Call for Evidence on the summer 2024 disorder. The submission addressed key questions about the nature of the disorder, police preparedness, intelligence-sharing, and the wider implications for public order policing. The research team also presented their findings in a webinar.  


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