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)
Distance learning is a way of studying without the learner being physically present in a classroom. It can be fully remote or ‘blended’ with in-person learning and is now usually underpinned by the use of digital technologies and resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rapid switch to distance learning. This POSTnote provides an overview of current trends in distance learning, evidence on key challenges and opportunities and potential future developments.
COVID-19 vaccines have been deployed in the UK since December 2020. This article examines the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on transmission of the virus. It also considers the potential implications of vaccine-induced protection for easing lockdown restrictions and debate about potential introduction of immunity certification or a vaccine passport scheme.
How does COVID-19 affect children? Will children be vaccinated against the disease? This article summarises the latest findings from research and highlights where more research can explore some of the remaining uncertainties.
