Since its inception in 1989, the SMF has gained an enviable reputation for the rigour of its research, driving policy debate based on sound argument and clear evidence. The SMF has established a strong track record in successfully carrying out large and challenging research projects, winning research tenders from a range of charitable trusts, private sector organisations and government departments. Crucially these projects have had a demonstrable impact on the development of policy in many areas, with the SMF widely regarded as a key influence in public policy circles.

We have developed five main themes for our 2007-2008 Research programme:

  • the impact of globalisation and the insecure society;
  • government effectiveness and UK competitiveness;
  • a decade of reform: public services and the social market;
  • market incentives and human behaviour; and
  • capability, poverty and culture.

We have already concluded several projects this year on 14-19 education, unemployment insurance, and the insights of behavioural economics.

Current projects

Our projects currently underway include:

  • An examination of policy options open to government to meet the objective of keeping people with mild to moderate mental health problems in work;
  • A project on the 'Death of Deference', examining how the acceptance of traditional forms of authority has declined in recent years, and what this implies for public services (particularly health and education);
  • An analysis of the Government's Community Empowerment Agenda;
  • A project on Employment Services Commissioning, examining the role of those organisations who are sub-contracted to provide front-line services to the long term unemployed;
  • An Internal Commission that is examining the current housing shortage, with the intention of developing a feasible proposal to release more land for housing development;
  • and work on customer satisfaction and public value across the public services.

The Future of Healthcare in the UK is a major programme of research and events which will run for just over two years between January 2007 and early 2009. It is investigating the challenges to the NHS that will develop over the next ten to fifteen years arising from demographic changes; new medical developments and technologies; the impact of reform and health inequalities. More information on the project can be found on the Health Project page.

Forthcoming projects

We also have an ambitious programme of future work and are currently finalising proposals on topics as diverse as

• procurement and strategic commissioning
This project will explore the current skills gap that prevents government from being an effective service commissioner of services and make recommendations on how the quality of strategic commissioning could be improved.
• creating a skilled workforce
This work will look at how the UK can establish a framework for skills that can both aid progression for young people and adults and make raising the school leaving age a success.
• the changing relationship between service users and professionals
This year-long project will examine the impact of the government’s reform programme on the public service workforce and examine how to tip the balance of power further in favour of service users.
• foreign direct investment
This project will examine the relative importance of tax and other factors in attracting FDI and produce a policy blueprint for bringing in future FDI.
• applying the lessons of behavioural economics
In our recent publication, Creatures of Habit? The Art of Behavioural Change we identified several key policy areas that could benefit from a behavioural economics analysis: increasing personal savings; reducing car use; and tackling obesity.  We are now seeking partners to expand our research in these areas. 

If you would like to know more, get involved in or sponsor any of the above projects, please contact Natalie Tarry at ntarry@smf.co.uk or on 020 7227 4405.