As social researchers we have a genuine interest in changes that impact the way we live, work and interact. Whether that’s changing policies, new innovation or changing perceptions, the impacts are interesting to explore and discuss. Which is where our research blog comes in.
Have a read of some of our recent articles and thought pieces, sharing research news and sector-specific content covering the different sectors we support.
If you’re looking for something relevant to your sector you can filter using the options below.

The revival of the ‘big four’ in international student mobility
7th April 2021/by Linda Spindley
Understanding the experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children joining family in England
9th March 2021/by Linda Spindley
Reframing the student accommodation compensation debate
5th March 2021/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Creating a culture of inclusivity in research
3rd March 2021/by Linda Spindley
Equality, diversity and inclusion in research: Understanding the current picture
3rd March 2021/by Linda Spindley
International Education Strategy: re-visited
25th February 2021/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Your Social Housing White Paper questions – answered by The Housing Ombudsman
22nd February 2021/by Linda Spindley
Building online student communities: best practice for effective research
16th February 2021/by Sara Fernie-Jones
BEIS launch research into social housing decarbonisation
8th February 2021/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Compensating the Covid class
4th February 2021/by Sara Fernie-Jones
A housing hero: The Housing Ombudsman is here to help
1st February 2021/by Linda Spindley
The university challenge: student retention in a Covid world
26th January 2021/by Linda Spindley
Resident engagement is central to social housing regulation
22nd January 2021/by Linda Spindley
Your Social Housing White Paper questions – answered by The Regulator
19th January 2021/by Linda Spindley
The Social Housing White Paper – what’s changing?
13th January 2021/by Linda Spindley
Higher education insight guides: recently published
10th December 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
What do graduates do?
9th December 2020/by David Vivian
The Social Housing White Paper: Next Steps for Landlords
2nd December 2020/by Linda Spindley
How is customer experience (CX) changing in social housing?
3rd November 2020/by Linda Spindley
Getting started with your CX strategy in social housing
26th October 2020/by Linda Spindley
How to create great customer experiences in social housing
20th October 2020/by Linda Spindley
Landlords are learning lessons from the Covid-19 lockdowns
15th October 2020/by Linda Spindley
Employer Skills Survey (ESS) results published
14th October 2020/by Linda Spindley
The business case for baselining your STAR survey
8th October 2020/by Linda Spindley
IFF Research celebrates winning MRS Operational Excellence award
28th September 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Deliver research in-house or outsource? Weighing up the pros and cons
8th September 2020/by Linda Spindley
Apprenticeship Employer Incentive Scheme research published
4th August 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Job Retention Bonus unlikely to be a factor in retaining jobs, say UK businesses
29th July 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
DfE’s 5-year Child and Family Social Worker study Wave 2 results published
23rd July 2020/by Linda Spindley
Social housing white paper: Likely implications of the pandemic
13th July 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Graduate Outcomes results published
22nd June 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Research highlights threats to occupational health provision
3rd June 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Doing more with less: practical solutions for housing providers
2nd June 2020/by Linda Spindley
Measuring return on investment in housing research
27th May 2020/by Linda Spindley
Research findings on the impact of the COVID pandemic on UK business
14th May 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
The impact of the coronavirus on social housing: Part 2
30th April 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Customer journey mapping in social housing: See your services through your customers eyes
21st April 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
45% of the UK workforce furloughed amid COVID-19 pandemic
17th April 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Evaluating processes and impact in social housing
15th April 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Coronavirus in social housing: sharing solutions
8th April 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Half of UK businesses very concerned about the impact of Coronavirus
31st March 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Large scale apprenticeship evaluation research for DfE recently published
27th March 2020/by Linda Spindley
Listening widely: Engaging with geographically dispersed residents
25th March 2020/by Linda Spindley
Adjusting to a new normal: protecting your wellbeing
24th March 2020/by Sara Fernie-Jones
How can social housing providers tackle stigma?
19th March 2020/by Linda Spindley
From Engagement to Action: Bringing About Positive Change in Social Housing
11th March 2020/by Linda Spindley
Shining a light on student accommodation
20th February 2020/by Linda Spindley
Improving financial wellbeing: MaPS’ launch 10 year strategy
28th January 2020/by Linda Spindley
How to write an effective research brief
22nd January 2020/by Linda Spindley
Perception is reality: Why reputation matters in social housing
13th January 2020/by Linda Spindley
The heart of the matter: measuring your Customer Trust Score
9th January 2020/by Linda Spindley
Realising the value of volunteering
7th January 2020/by Linda Spindley
Scottish Employer Perspectives Survey: 2019
2nd January 2020/by Linda Spindley
Looking back and looking ahead: The IFF Research Year in Review
19th December 2019/by Linda Spindley
Solving Research & Policy Problems Creatively
16th December 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
What matters most: eliminating effort within social housing
11th December 2019/by Linda Spindley
Real-world practicalities of survey research at Middlesex University
25th November 2019/by Linda Spindley
Why we need to be talking more about financial wellbeing
21st November 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
The Elephant in the Room: Talking about Money and Pensions
18th November 2019/by Linda Spindley
How to undertake a complaints process review in social housing
13th November 2019/by Linda Spindley
Harnessing data to improve graduate outcomes: Working Futures
28th October 2019/by Linda Spindley
Harnessing data to improve graduate outcomes: Planning for Success
24th October 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Harnessing data to improve graduate outcomes: learning analytics
22nd October 2019/by Linda Spindley
Harnessing data to improve graduate outcomes: Employer Skills Survey
16th October 2019/by Linda Spindley
Examining employment and skills challenges in the construction sector
10th October 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Preparing for the Social Housing White Paper
8th October 2019/by Linda Spindley
Benchmarking in a Post-White Paper World
2nd October 2019/by Linda Spindley
A New Deal for Social Housing: Implications for Social Housing Providers
24th September 2019/by Linda Spindley
Launch of Creative Spark Year 2
12th September 2019/by Linda Spindley
Investigating a new educational landscape with Creative Spark
29th August 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
DfE’s 2019 Employer Skills Survey in full swing
21st August 2019/by Linda Spindley
Landmark new study publishes first insights to help keep children safe
12th August 2019/by Linda Spindley
Making time to make a difference
1st August 2019/by Linda Spindley
What does it take to be a market researcher?
9th July 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
How lenders can better support the high street mortgage broker
28th May 2019/by IFF Research
Entrepreneurs with disabilities need more support – Findings of an IFF Research report, commissioned by the DWP
20th May 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
IFF Research and Voluntas Join Forces to Improve the Quality of Housing Provision
14th May 2019/by Sara Fernie-Jones
Paying for Postgraduate Study – Findings from our evaluation of The Master’s Degree Loan Scheme
13th May 2019/by IFF Research
IFF’s stakeholder perception audit report published by the Nursing and Midwifery Council
10th May 2019/by Jane Thompson
Data re-sight: the answer for HE strategic planning?
8th May 2019/by Laura Hilger
Tackling graduate unemployment in Wider Europe
1st May 2019/by Richard Everitt (External)
What employers want: Understanding the employer perspective on graduate skills
24th April 2019/by Andrew Skone-James
Seeing beyond the Fog: University Horizon Scanning of the Future Labour Market
17th April 2019/by Dr Anthony Mansfield (external)
Reflections on the use of labour market data in Higher Education (HE)
14th April 2019/by David Vivian
IFF Research leads redevelopment of the UK Employer Skills Survey for the Department for Education
12th April 2019/by Genna Kik
IFF’s report on Corporate Strategy and Stakeholder Research published by the General Medical Council
8th April 2019/by Jane Thompson
IFF’s sixth report on research among post-16 providers published by DfE
7th March 2019/by Mark Winterbotham
IFF’s School Snapshot Study report published by the DfE
1st February 2019/by Mark Winterbotham
Deciding where to study – Findings from IFF’s high profile evaluation of the TEF
18th January 2019/by Andrew Skone-James
“Putting customers at the heart” in Financial Services organisations
7th December 2018/by IFF Research
Seven aspects of engagement pilot (Qualitative Evaluation) – Findings from IFF and the University of Derby published by the Department for Education
27th November 2018/by IFF Research
Social inequality in a post-truth world: How evidence could have turned the referendum
27th November 2018/by IFF Research
Creative Spark: IFF’s Elizabeth Shepherd contributes to Higher Education Enterprise event in Georgia
20th November 2018/by IFF Research
A collaborative search for equality: IFF’s crucial Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination findings shared at Brussels seminar
8th November 2018/by Katie Oldfield
Perceptions of the UK’s unique Higher Education offer – views from international students
2nd November 2018/by IFF Research
Delivering effective tracking surveys in financial services
26th October 2018/by IFF Research
Financial Services Forum Event: The future is bright for Challenger Banks
23rd October 2018/by IFF Research
Investigating alternative provision – Findings from high profile IFF study published by the Department for Education
19th October 2018/by Mark Winterbotham
IFF Seminar: Dividing Lines The Role Of Evidence In Reducing Social Inequality
12th October 2018/by IFF Research
Delivering agile insight: IFF’s approach to fast and flexible Financial Services research
18th September 2018/by IFF Research
IFF ‘Highly Commended’ at the MRS Operations Awards for Best Data Collection (Online)
14th September 2018/by IFF Research
IFF works with EAIE to launch comprehensive study on the state of internationalisation in Europe
11th September 2018/by Andrew Skone-James
ESS 2017: The UK Employer Skills Survey has been published by the Department for Education
16th August 2018/by Mark Winterbotham
IFF nominated for two MRS Operations Awards for Data Collection (Online and Telephone)
3rd August 2018/by IFF Research
One company: IFF’s move to London Bridge represents more than just a change of scenery
2nd August 2018/by IFF Research
IFF launches ‘Bright Ideas’ Financial Services insight portal
27th July 2018/by IFF Research
A global comparison of national student surveys: IFF at the Advance Higher Education Training and Learning Conference
13th July 2018/by IFF Research
The Truth About Research – How to uncover what people really think?
12th July 2018/by IFF Research
Can effective financial decisions be made without human interaction?
6th July 2018/by IFF Research
IFF’s experienced team experience the FS Customer Experience conference!
6th July 2018/by IFF Research
IFF Seminar: The Truth About Research – How to uncover what people really think?
1st June 2018/by IFF Research
The Role of Robo-Advice in the Investment Market
25th May 2018/by IFF Research
IFF Research is sharing research insights hot off the press at the Financial Services Customer Experience conference
24th May 2018/by IFF Research
Measuring the quality of a Higher Education experience: a complex product co-produced by the consumer
9th May 2018/by IFF Research
50 years in the making: IFF’s journey from 1965 – 2018!
4th May 2018/by IFF Research
IFF hire super 6 in a busy April!
30th April 2018/by IFF Research
Moving on to bigger and brighter things! IFF will be moving premises in May 2018
25th April 2018/by IFF Research
What is the best way to approach qualitative research? Is it time to get “Back to Basics”?
20th April 2018/by Alistair Kuechel
Department for Education publish two user experience reports featuring research from IFF
4th April 2018/by IFF Research
Digital consumers shine a light on future pension needs
27th March 2018/by IFF Research
Feeling the love: Feedback from some of our not so secret admirers
16th February 2018/by IFF Research
Keeping it real: Key considerations for engaging, empowering and inspiring Generation Z
30th January 2018/by IFF Research
IFF expands their Higher Education team with hire of new Director
23rd January 2018/by IFF Research
What have smart speakers, Open Banking and a Paul Hollywood bread bin got in common?
16th January 2018/by IFF Research
Video: Understanding ESS: A practical guide to using Employer Skills Survey data
10th January 2018/by Andrew Skone-James
The changing shape of digital financial consumers
8th January 2018/by IFF Research
Does relationship advice help new parents overcome a decline in relationship quality?
8th January 2018/by IFF Research
Apprenticeships: Lessons from the 2017 Evaluation survey
19th December 2017/by Andrew Skone-James
IFF Research launches its Fintech Beacon: How to really understand the new digital-only customer?
7th December 2017/by IFF Research
The 2017 MRS Awards: A glitzy and glamorous evening but IFF come away empty handed
5th December 2017/by IFF Research
All we want for Xmas this year is an MRS Best Place to Work Award
1st December 2017/by Jan Shury
Research futures seminar summary: The future is closer than you think – what technology means for research
30th November 2017/by Libby Eastwood
Millennials running UK businesses are better prepared for the future
28th November 2017/by IFF Research
Will Robots Take My Job? Future Skills and the 4th Industrial Revolution
15th November 2017/by Rowan Foster
Why aren’t consumers open to Open Banking?
14th November 2017/by IFF Research
IFF make two senior appointments to Learning and Skills team
19th October 2017/by IFF Research
IFF Seminar: The Future is Closer Than You Think – What Technology Means for Research (23rd November 2017)
18th October 2017/by IFF Research
How can you use insight from businesses to improve upcoming events and conferences?
12th October 2017/by Alice Large
State of the Nation 2017: Careers and Enterprise Provision in England’s Schools report published
11th October 2017/by Mark Winterbotham
Results from large-scale survey conducted by IFF, on behalf of CITB, have been released
11th October 2017/by Mark Winterbotham
High demand, not enough access: The road to growing the UK retail impact investment market
10th October 2017/by IFF Research
Former Ipsos Director, Georgina Clarke, joins IFF’s Financial Services team
9th October 2017/by IFF Research
Conference review: IFF deliver two workshops at the AGCAS Annual Conference 2017
21st September 2017/by Andrew Skone-James
IFF sponsor Crystal Palace U14 Ladies Academy of Excellence 2017/18
20th September 2017/by IFF Research
What is an omnibus survey?
23rd August 2017/by Alice Large
Longitudinal DLHE survey published by HESA
14th August 2017/by Jan Shury
‘Achievers and leavers: Barriers and opportunities for people entering construction’ Research from IFF used to inform CITB white paper
10th August 2017/by Mark Winterbotham
The Oppies are back! Return of IFF sponsored MRS Operational Awards
2nd August 2017/by IFF Research
How can market research reduce commercial risk?
1st August 2017/by Alice Large
Apprenticeship pay, minimum wage rates and why these matter
19th July 2017/by Mark Winterbotham
New report published: Understanding the experiences of over 50s following redundancy
4th July 2017/by IFF Research
News: Apprenticeship numbers likely to fall
29th June 2017/by Mark Winterbotham
UK Employer Perspectives Survey 2016
28th June 2017/by Genna Kik
Benefits of a telephone survey vs. online panel
28th June 2017/by Alice Large
A robust guiding principle in a turbulent time?
19th June 2017/by Angus Tindle
How the HE Sector responds to Brexit
6th June 2017/by Rowan Foster
Conducting B2B market research on a small budget
25th May 2017/by Alice Large
Harnessing insights in Financial Services
25th May 2017/by Alistair Kuechel
Evidence Matters Event Summary
19th May 2017/by Rowan Foster
The Art of Translating Evidence
2nd May 2017/by Rowan Foster
A healthy future for healthcare research
28th April 2017/by IFF Research
Graduates’ career planning outcomes
5th April 2017/by Catherine Turner
Assessing communications in Financial Services
23rd March 2017/by IFF Research
3 key considerations for online qualitative research
15th March 2017/by Libby Eastwood
4 Key Concerns about the Pension Dashboard 2017
15th March 2017/by IFF Research
Apprenticeships across the UK
13th March 2017/by Rowan Foster
Graduate Employment Conference Review
27th January 2017/by Jan Shury
Education and Skills in 2017
26th January 2017/by Mark Winterbotham
Retirement choices: No perfect answer
24th January 2017/by IFF Research
The role of evidence in uncertainty
13th January 2017/by IFF Research
The opportunities presented by uncertainty
24th November 2016/by Rowan Foster
Londoners’ reliance on their homes in retirement
7th November 2016/by IFF Research
How will employers respond to the apprenticeship levy?
25th October 2016/by Mark Winterbotham
Skills gap in the construction sector
24th October 2016/by IFF Research
UK regulations and business success
21st October 2016/by IFF Research
Assessing the role of evidence in times of uncertainty
18th October 2016/by IFF Research
National Student Survey update
30th September 2016/by IFF Research
Making a difference at IFF Research
30th September 2016/by IFF Research
IFF Values: Being Human First
31st August 2016/by IFF Research
Unique Insight into Welsh Businesses Published
23rd August 2016/by Rowan Foster
IFF shortlisted for two MRS Operations Awards
10th August 2016/by IFF Research
IFF Values: remaining impartial in the research industry
29th July 2016/by IFF Research
Intro to the Teaching Excellence Framework
29th July 2016/by IFF Research
EHC Experience pilot survey results
13th July 2016/by IFF Research
Predicting the Future in Uncertain Times
13th July 2016/by Angus Tindle
Remaining impartial in the research industry
30th June 2016/by IFF Research
How will UK businesses react to Brexit?
30th June 2016/by IFF Research
Brexit – What next for the UK?
24th June 2016/by Matt Barnes
IFF Directors predict the outcome of the EU Referendum
22nd June 2016/by IFF Research
To Remain or to Brexit: Business opinions
8th June 2016/by Matt Barnes
IFF Report on Enterprise Finance Guarantee
2nd June 2016/by Angus Tindle
Careers Education and Advice Forum update
31st May 2016/by Mark Winterbotham
Growth continues at IFF Research
27th May 2016/by IFF Research
Effective usability testing and the future of UX
20th May 2016/by Alistair Kuechel
Benefits–in-work conditionality for Universal Credit
20th May 2016/by Rowan Foster
SFA / BIS Apprenticeship dissemination event
16th May 2016/by IFF Research
4 tips for creating an effective partnership
11th May 2016/by IFF Research
How policy change is impacting retirement saving
6th May 2016/by IFF Research
The Lifetime ISA impacts
23rd March 2016/by IFF Research
Maternity discrimination report published
22nd March 2016/by Mark Winterbotham
Business opinion increasingly divided over EU future
18th March 2016/by Matt Barnes
An innovative approach to employer research
11th March 2016/by IFF Research
The Employer Skills Survey: the largest B2B survey in the world
4th March 2016/by IFF Research
The Employer Skills Survey: Learning about the skills market
3rd March 2016/by Mark Winterbotham
2 million UK workers are working below their potential
1st March 2016/by Rowan Foster
The largest B2B survey in the world?
19th February 2016/by David Vivian
All about the Apprenticeship Levy
16th February 2016/by Mark Winterbotham
Investing in mental and physical healthcare
10th February 2016/by IFF Research
ESS15: The launch of the Employers Skills Survey
2nd February 2016/by David Vivian
Offering Private Medical Insurance as a benefit
20th January 2016/by IFF Research
How small changes can make a difference for respondents
15th January 2016/by Gill Stewart
Professional service providers need to think small
6th January 2016/by Matt Barnes
IFF wins MRS Healthcare Research Award
11th December 2015/by IFF Research
The dangers of caution in retirement planning
10th December 2015/by IFF Research
ISBE Conference Review
19th November 2015/by IFF Research
IFF Business Omnibus update
16th November 2015/by Matt Barnes
How are pension reforms changing retirement?
10th November 2015/by IFF Research
How banks can help Britain’s small businesses?
13th October 2015/by IFF Research
Support, don’t sell: Banks must add value if they wish to rebuild trust
30th September 2015/by IFF Research
All to play for as businesses split over EU debate
28th September 2015/by Jane Thompson
IFF Report: Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings
23rd September 2015/by Alistair Kuechel
The NHS in 2015: The Health & Care Innovation Expo
11th September 2015/by Matt Barnes
SMEs, Exports and The Bribery Act
9th September 2015/by Rob Warren
Tube Strikes: Public perceptions
26th August 2015/by IFF Research
Apprenticeships from the employer perspective
12th August 2015/by Mark Winterbotham
IFF celebrates 50 years
5th August 2015/by IFF Research
Improving Financial Literacy
5th August 2015/by Angus Tindle
The July 2105 Budget and the research industry
30th July 2015/by IFF Research
IFF Conference Review
23rd July 2015/by Matt Barnes
IFF Conference Review: Innovation and insurance
14th July 2015/by Alistair Kuechel
Challenging stereotypes in welfare
14th July 2015/by Angus Tindle
IFF Celebrates 50th Birthday
9th July 2015/by IFF Research
The competitive spirit
9th July 2015/by Rob Warren
Improving care for dementia sufferers
9th July 2015/by IFF Research
Illuminating the needs of employers
9th July 2015/by Angus Tindle
A necessary burden
17th June 2015/by Rob Warren