Research at GO-Science
We carry out and commission research, evidence synthesis, assessments and advice on a wide range of subjects which have implications for government policy.
Our research programme aims to help government make policies and decisions that are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking.
Rapid projects
Rapid projects support government departments to understand the scientific evidence underpinning a policy issue or area by convening academic, industry and government experts at a single roundtable. These summary meeting notes seek to provide accessible science advice for policymakers. They represent the combined views of roundtable participants, and are not statements of government policy.
- Ultra-processed food (UPFs)
- Human Genome Databases
- Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
- Adaptive purchasing behaviour drivers and mitigations
- Citizen science for policymaking
- Climate change misinformation impacts
- Electric vehicle battery recycling capacity
- Future of rainfall capture in the UK
- Heat pumps for domestic heating
- Human augmentation and labour shortages
- Renewable energy and the effects of wind and solar droughts
Rapid Technology Assessments
Rapid technology assessments (RTAs) are accessible introductions to different technology areas for policymakers, aiming to support government departments to make better strategic decisions on science and technology. These assessments use evidence and expert insight to set out recent technology developments, potential applications, and opportunities for government alongside challenges and potential risks.
- Rapid Technology Assessment: Digital twins
- Rapid Technology Assessment: Artificial Intelligence
- Rapid Technology Assessment: Novel batteries
- Rapid Technology Assessment: 4D printing
- Rapid Technology Assessment: Nucleic acid technologies
- Rapid Technology Assessment: Synthetic genomics
Foresight projects
Foresight projects are in-depth studies looking at major issues 20 to 80 years in the future.
Current projects
Past projects
- Net Zero Society: scenarios and pathways
- Wireless 2030
- Genomics Beyond Health
- The future of citizen data systems
- Future of mobility
- Future of the sea
- Future of skills and lifelong learning
- Future of an ageing population
- Future of cities
- Future of manufacturing
- Future of identity
- Reducing risk of future disasters
- Technology and innovation futures
- Future of computer trading
- Migration and global environmental change
- Climate change: international dimensions
- Global food and farming futures
- Land use futures
- World trade: possible futures
- Powering our lives
- Mental capital and wellbeing
- Tackling obesities: future choices
- Detection and identification of infectious diseases
- Intelligent infrastructure systems
- Brain science, addiction and drugs
- Cyber trust and crime prevention
- Exploiting the electromagnetic spectrum
- Future of flood and coastal defence
- Cognitive systems
View the final project reports.
Futures Toolkit
The Futures Toolkit provides a set of tools to help embed long-term strategic thinking within the policy process, and explains how to ensure they have real impact. It is intended for policy officials and analysts across government.
Systems Toolkit
Systems thinking is a framework for seeing the interconnections in a system and a discipline for seeing and understanding the relevant aspects of the whole system - the ‘structures’ that underlie complex situations.
Council for Science and Technology (CST)
The Council for Science and Technology (CST) advises the Prime Minister on science and technology policy issues across government. The council is an expert committee, supported by a secretariat in the Government Office for Science.
Blackett reviews
Blackett reviews are expert-led, independent studies to answer specific scientific or technological questions, and to inform policy-makers.
- UK service economy: Blackett review
- Computational modelling review
- Satellite-derived time and position review
- Quantum technologies review
- Distributed ledger technology review
- Financial technology (FinTech) review
- Internet of things review
- Wide-area biological detection review
- High impact low probability risks review
Annual reports
These themed annual reports reflect the priorities of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser from 2013 to 2017.
- From waste to resource productivity
- Forensic science and beyond: authenticity, provenance and assurance
- Innovation: managing risk, not avoiding it
Other research
We also carry out occasional research on subjects such as animal and plant health and technology futures, and produce one-off reports on emerging issues.
A full list of our research can be found on our publications page.
Search our reports
Our research can be searched by keyword and date of publication.