Research Projects

Britain's got brains

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Contact Email: s.sodha@ippr.org

Introduction

ippr, in conjunction with Prospect Magazine and Diageo, has shortlisted the 2008 Britain's got Brains finalists.

A scheme to reduce the amount of public money wasted on massive public contracts. Contracting out big infrastructure projects wastes millions of pounds of public money every year: £11bn was spent on constructing new transport, water, waste, school, stadium and hospital facilities in 2007, but seven in ten government construction projects are completed over tender price, and seven in ten are delivered late. For example, the total cost of delivering new roads between 1998 and 2006 was £489 million - 40 per cent – more than initially estimated. Matt Siemiatycki has proposed a new benchmarking scheme for construction and service companies that tender for government projects which would keep a record of which companies go over budget so they are not used again.
A scheme to provide greater adult and community support young people at risk of falling into a life of crime and young offenders. Ippr’s research has already shown that the most prolific criminals begin offending between the ages of 10 and 13, and that a lack of adult support is a key risk factor for young people turning to crime. Simon MacKenzie has proposed creating mentoring circles for these young people, based on a model already used in Canada. The aim of the circles to prevent young people offending in the first place, and to prevent reoffending by young people who have already committed a crime. Each ‘circle’ would consist of three to give adult volunteers who would meet regularly with the young person to offer mentoring, and support with problems that could lead to offending and re-offending. The cost of running each circle would be £9,000 per year, compared to the annual cost of £40,000 for a young person in the criminal justice system.
A green “Britain in Bloom” competition. While public interest in climate change issues has soared in recent years, people’s behaviour has not become substantially greener. Lewis Dean has proposed a new Greener British Future competition along the lines of “Britain in Bloom” in which communities would compete on their ‘greenness’.
A rhythm-based scheme to improve reading among low-ability readers at primary school. One in five children leave primary school without being able to read. Based on her own research in schools, Marion Long has proposed a new rhythm-based scheme to improve reading amongst low-ability readers in primary schools following research that has linked a child’s sense of rhythm to reading ability. In this scheme, children who can’t clap in time to a simple piece of music are taught to stamp their feet in time to music for ten minutes a week. When this was trialled in schools, it improved children’s reading comprehension.

For further information about the scheme or to speak to the winner contact 020 7470 6106 / 07815 536 824

Britain’s Got Brains has one central aim: identifying and promoting rigorous, original and exciting ideas from emerging thinkers in British universities – who are not necessarily already working in the policy sphere.

For more information, contact s.sodha@ippr.org.

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