Services - Research, evidence & knowledge development

Overview

Good decisions are based upon an informed position. Increasingly public and private bodies are seeking more information on which to base strategy and decisions in the often complex and confusing area of sustainability. Evidence-based approaches had led to great advances in many fields, most notably medicine. Such policy requires a systematic approach in identifying evidence, critical review and a balanced appraisal of strengths and weaknesses. Many areas of knowledge are well established, others are novel and inherently less certain. Sustainability requires a holistic approach that rarely yields clear answers and evidence alone rarely provides them.

It is therefore important to recognise uncertainty and use evidence, knowledge and experience to support management decisions. We can assist in this area by conducting bespoke research from primary or secondary sources. We also specialise in using action/operational research methods and in working closely with clients to capture knowledge and expertise within organisations and from stakeholders. This yields better results and helps develop knowledge and capacity within organisations.

Products & services

Research

Quantifying issues, measuring activity and impacts, opinions, research, information and organisational requirements.

Evidence

We have a rare mix of a multidisciplinary approach combined with knowledge of technical and behavioural approaches. We understand how organisations work and how information can be used to support technical and management processes.

Sustainable business intelligence

We can help you make your data/intelligence more accessible and work harder, providing support for information utilisation and reporting. These services include:

• Peer/competitor analysis
• Cutting-edge practice identification and review
• Case study development
• Identification of key information requirements, mapping data needs to business activities

Knowledge and information communication and dissemination

We work with you to structure and communicate your environmental and sustainability activities, including web site development, 'New media' publishing, photography, video, podcasts and vidcasts.

Experience

Nature and Health

Review of initiatives linking nature, health and wellbeing in Hampshire - an audit to assess the provision of initiatives and schemes that specifically linked nature and health in recognition of the health and psychological benefits they can provide and recommendations on signposting services and network development.

Low & zero carbon homes industry and skills review

Interview and analysis services to examine drivers and build the evidence base for industry change and the skills required to support this.

Review of the value of the environment to the South West region’s economy

This project, conducted for the Countryside Agency, collated and reviewed a range of evidence on the nature and value of the regional economy and examined the contribution of the natural environment in different ways.

EAUC Poverty Aware Procurement on Campus

Working with ESD Consulting Ltd for the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, we researched and developed a range of guidance and information materials to build understanding of poverty issues within the supply chain. The project also included a range of creative communication materials including information sheets and videos See more >>

Developing environmental health indicators for large airport systems in Europe

Working in conjunction with Imperial College School of Medicine and partner institutes in Germany, Italy and Poland, this project researched the feasibility of developing a suite of environmental health indicators for European Airport systems.