This document builds on POST's previous publication, Topics of Interest 2018 (POSTbrief 27). The subjects are listed under under six category headings based on the drivers of change identified in POSTnote 500: demographic change and healthcare; social and cultural trends; geopolitical and governance challenges; environmental pressures and climate change; resource security and sustainability; and technological advance.
Research for Parliament: Preparing for a changing world (4 MB , PDF)
These summaries are intended to help sketch out the implications of possible areas of change, which may or may not be desirable, to help inform policy priorities and debates and to identify priorities for POST’s future work programme.
Acknowledgements
POSTbriefs are based on literature reviews and are externally peer reviewed. POST would like to thank peer reviewers for kindly giving up their time during the preparation of this briefing, including:
Robert Joyce, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Office for National Statistics
Leo Ewbank, The King’s Fund
Professor Shane Johnson, Dawes Centre for Future Crime, UCL
Professor Jonathan Shepherd, Crime and Security Research Institute, Cardiff University
Professor Tony Dundon, Department of Work & Employment Studies, University of Limerick
Professor Nicholas Pleace, Centre for Housing Policy, University of York
Nerys Thomas, College of Policing
Dr Alex Wood, Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University
Dr Jo Ingold, Leeds University Business School, Leeds University
Professor Louise Manning, Royal Agricultural University
Professor Jim Watson, UK Energy Research Centre & UCL
Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, University of Plymouth
Antony Froggatt, Chatham House
Ross Harris, Cranfield Defence and Security, Cranfield University
Professor Mark Briers, Cranfield Defence and Security, Cranfield University
Professor Mark Richardson, Cranfield Defence and Security, Cranfield University
Professor Steve Schneider, Surrey Centre for Cyber Security, University of Surrey
Professor Jakub Bijak, Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton
Dr Martin Robson, Strategy and Security Institute, University of Exeter
Kate Cox, RAND
Dr Jessica Pykett, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham
Dr Will Leggett, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham
Dr Richard Whittle, Future Economies University Research Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University
Professor Achim Dobermann, Rothamsted
Professor Jules Pretty, University of Essex
Professor Ottoline Leyser, University of Cambridge
Professor Tamara Galloway, University of Exeter
Professor Roy Harrison, University of Birmingham
Dr Jo House, University of Bristol
Professor Dan Osborne, University College London
Research for Parliament: Preparing for a changing world (4 MB , PDF)
Research suggests that the threat from invasive non-native species (INNS) is growing. Biological invasions by INNS harm native species and habitats and can have economic impacts. Biosecurity measures can be adopted to prevent the introduction and spread of INNS. This POSTnote summarises the drivers and impacts of INNS and the measures needed to meet national and international environmental targets.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the iron and steel industry make up 14% of industrial emissions in the UK. Decarbonisation of the steel industry is needed if the UK is to meet its target of net zero GHG emissions by 2050. This POSTnote outlines current steelmaking processes in the UK, the technologies and measures that can be used to reduce CO2 emissions, and the supporting infrastructure and policies that could enable a ‘green steel’ industry in the UK.
A POSTnote that describes the race and ethnic inequalities in mental health, and Government plans to reform the Mental Health Act 1983.
