Shift was proud to have contributed to and produced many influential public research reports. Please see some examples of Shift’s public work.
Newest reports and papers
As well as offering bespoke research designs that underpin clients’ decision-making, we produce our own education market research reports to equip institutions and organisations with actionable data.
Curriculum and Assessment Review white paper, Part 1
In early 2026, Shift conducted a survey aiming to understand educators’ responses to the changes proposed in the recent curriculum and assessment review (CAR) and their potential impacts on teachers and learners.
SEND white paper
Are you confident in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Do you receive sufficient training to support children with SEND?
Schools
British Council: teaching Arabic in UK schools
Arabic is one of the 10 most important languages for the UK’s future. However, it is currently only taught in 5% of UK schools. The British Council and Qatar Foundation International (QFI) sought research to build a more comprehensive picture of Arabic provision in the UK, exploring the drivers and barriers to teaching and learning Arabic. This research included a literature review, qualitative interviews and creation of a schools database.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
RM and IAEA: digital assessment
RM, in partnership with the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA), wanted to publish a research report exploring the adoption of digital assessment across the world. We produced a white paper that was considered the first example of comprehensive research into attitudes to digital assessment across sectors.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
World Afro Day: teachers research
As part of a wider thought leadership survey about sustainability in teaching, we surveyed UK educators about their levels of confidence around DE&I and how the Equality Act applies to teaching institutions’ policies. We specifically focused on Afro hair discrimination as a DE&I issue in teaching institutions, consulting with World Afro Day.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
London Councils: research with school leaders
London Councils commissioned Shift Learning, TES and The Education Company to uncover school leaders’ views on the challenges faced by schools. This included proposed school funding changes, cost pressures, the apprenticeship levy, increases to the teachers’ pension schemes and national insurance contributions. We uncovered head teachers’ opinions through interviews and surveys.
The findings received press coverage (including Evening Standard and TES articles) and informed many sector bodies, including as written evidence submitted to government. You can also read our related case study.
The Learned Societies: GCSE Science timetable models
This project was commissioned by the learned societies, a group of scientific organisations consisting of the Association of Science Education, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry. The learned societies sought to understand the variety of timetable models used to teach the sciences at KS4 in schools based in England. We aimed for robust representation, alongside insight into the decision-making that leads to the adoption of particular timetable models.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
Technical education
IoP: physics-based apprenticeships research
The Institute of Physics (IoP) wanted to understand the challenges and opportunities of physics-related apprenticeships in the UK and Ireland. Shift conducted interviews with apprentices, their employers and training providers to apprenticeship supply and demand, alongside barriers and opportunities for further intervention. Our findings formed the basis for an IoP report. Using this report as a launch pad, the IOP convened a series of five Solving Skills Summits and heard from more than 100 physics-powered employers, education providers and government representatives from across the UK and Ireland.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
RSC: higher technical provision
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) commissioned Shift to explore the landscape of higher technical and applied qualifications in Chemistry and related subjects in England and Scotland. The ultimate goal was to help shape the direction of future policy work in this area of education. This research involved a literature review and qualitative interviews with employers, providers and learners of Higher Technical Qualifications to gather evidence on sector needs and challenges.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
Higher education
Cengage: Student Voices
This project supported Cengage’s ongoing research into the higher education experiences of students across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. We explored what students want from their course experience and how Cengage offerings are helping and adding value to student engagement.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
The Office for Students (OfS)
We have conducted several public-facing research projects for the OfS. You can click to explore below.
Evaluation of revised condition B3
In 2022, the OfS revised their approach to regulating student outcomes (condition B3). Shift evaluated the impact of this revised condition through 40 phone interviews to inform OfS’s design, operation and communication of their ongoing approach to regulating student outcomes. This was followed up with four in-depth case studies to explore the changes providers were implementing. Explore the public reports for both phases and our related case study.
Cognitive testing of the National Student Survey
As part of the OfS’s review of the National Student Survey, Shift conducted cognitive interviews with undergraduate students to test the comprehension of redeveloped survey questions and the introduction of item-specific scales in the survey. Explore the public report and our related case study.
Access and Participation Evaluation
In 2023, the OfS published its reforms to regulating equality of opportunity in English higher education, including access and participation plans (APPs). We worked with the OfS over the following two years by conducting interviews to support their evaluation. The result was two reports, the culmination of insightful discussions with representatives across the higher education sector. Explore the public reports and our related case study.
Harassment and misconduct survey cognitive testing
The OfS developed a survey to understand the prevalence of sexual harassment and misconduct across UK higher education providers. Before piloting the survey, Shift conducted cognitive interviews to ensure student respondents interpreted the questions as intended, reducing the potential for measurement error. Explore the public report and our related case study.
HE engagement and communications
The OfS wanted to explore higher education providers’ perceptions of recent changes to its engagement and communication channels. The aim was to understand what is working well and what could be improved. We conducted 44 interviews with representatives from registered providers. Explore the public report and our related case study.
QAA: using data to enhance outcomes
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) sought to understand how data is used by HE providers. The aim was to inform quality assurance and enhancement activities against the backdrop of a new regulatory environment heavily reliant on data. This research concluded with best practice guidance for QAA members and clear recommendations for HE providers seeking to improve the use of data in their quality processes.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
The Guardian, HSBC and UUK: Running a Tight Ship
This research looked at strategic decision-making in the higher education sector and the influence of the current financial climate for UK universities. Based on in-depth telephone interviews and surveys, our report revealed that change is manifesting itself in many ways, as institutions think strategically about how best to respond.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
Research culture and academic life
Cambridge University Press: publishing futures – working together to deliver radical change in academic publishing
We worked with Cambridge University Press on a radical, community-led review of the open research publishing ecosystem. Our aim was to identify bold, workable solutions that support innovation and meet the evolving needs of all stakeholders.
We extensively gathered evidence from across the academic community – including researchers, librarians, publishers, funders, and publishing partners from 120 countries – through workshops, interviews, and an online survey with over 3,000 responses.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
UKRI: Research Culture in the UK
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) commissioned a report on research culture, aiming to create a knowledge base of UK research culture initiatives. The project was conducted by the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) – Vitae, Shift Learning, and the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN). Using mixed methods, 347 initiatives were identified and a research culture framework was created. Our report offered a comprehensive overview of the diverse initiatives aimed at changing research culture in the UK. It highlighted key findings, including challenges in terminology, gaps in understanding initiatives outside academia, and the need for robust evaluation.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
UKCGE: Research Supervision Survey
UKCGE asked Shift to conduct the second iteration of the Research Supervision Survey to explore the experiences of research supervisors. It sought to be inclusive of varying supervisory roles, ensuring those not formally recognised by universities were represented. We received over 5,000 responses using UKCGE contacts and our own panel of academics and researchers. The final report was produced by UKCGE based on our analysis and reporting.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
Wellcome: research culture
Wellcome launched an ambitious programme to improve research culture. They commissioned Shift to conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research to support an inclusive and wide-reaching communications campaign. The approach required a high level of rigour, given the audience. This mixed-methods study included telephone interviews, four co-creation workshops and a quantitative survey.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
Digital Science, Figshare and Springer Nature: The State of Open Data
The State of Open Data is an ongoing collaboration to provide the longest-running longitudinal analysis of researchers’ attitudes towards and experiences of open data. This global study provides a detailed and sustained insight into the motivations, challenges, perceptions and behaviours of researchers towards open data. Shift was commissioned to manage survey development and conduct an initial analysis of its findings.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
MI TALENT Future Skills
MI TALENT wanted to develop a deeper understanding of future technical skills requirements, in line with emerging technology and equipment. This project included desk research and secondary analysis of data generated from an Innovate UK survey. Our report explored the future skills needs of relevant technical audiences and how each of these scored against measures of opportunity, UK capability and societal impact.
Explore the public report, which received coverage in Times Higher Education (subscription required). You can also read our related case study.
Nature
We have conducted several research studies for Nature over the years. Click below to explore some public-facing projects.
Global scientist salary trends
Building on previous salary surveys run by Nature, this report identified trends related to income, job benefits and career satisfaction amongst scientists. This global survey sought to reflect current environmental challenges and trends – including mental health and workplace discrimination. Explore the public report and our related case study.
PhD survey
The Nature Careers team has run a biennial PhD Survey since 2011. Alongside key areas of exploration (e.g. satisfaction, support, career destinations), they wanted to include current environmental challenges and trends, such as mental health, bullying and discrimination. The dataset was made publicly accessible by Nature, and the results were disseminated through a series of articles within the journal. Explore the public report and our related case study.
Postdoc survey
This research aimed to understand the experience of postdocs across the globe. This audience had previously been described as the ‘neglected part of the scientific workforce.’ A broad range of topics were explored including career satisfaction, workplace relationships, presenteeism, financial struggles and the impact of COVID-19 through a global 70-question survey. Explore Nature’s press release and our related case study.
Job satisfaction and salary survey
This survey sought to explore global trends related to income, job benefits and career satisfaction amongst scientists. The survey included additional questions regarding the impact of COVID-19, diversity in STEM, mental health, and bullying and harassment experiences. Explore the published data and Nature article, and our case study.
Newcastle University: policy engagement research
Newcastle University wanted to explore engagement with policy across the HE sector. This project sought to influence knowledge exchange and policy engagement, as well as change at local, national and international level, by providing evidence of the levels of interest to engage with policy activity from more diverse knowledge sources. The research also set out to understand the current barriers and solutions.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
QAA: academic integrity research
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) sought evidence of HE sector norms relating to academic integrity penalties. The core aims of this mixed-methods research were to uncover typical penalties for academic integrity cases, to establish a picture of the sector standards and to discover what guidance would be most useful for providers.
Explore the public report summary and our case study.
SNSI Libraries Research
The Scholarly Networks Security Initiative (SNSI) wanted to understand what academic librarians understood about cybercrime and their main concerns. A survey was developed in collaboration with SNSI and revealed librarian attitudes towards illegal websites that offer access to scholarly resources. The findings helped SNSI understand how best to support librarians with cybercrime and tailor communication to different groups.
Explore the public report and our related case study.
Open-access education market research reports
Curriculum and Assessment Review white paper Part 1
In early 2026, Shift conducted a survey aiming to understand educators’ responses to the changes proposed in the recent curriculum and assessment review (CAR) and their potential impacts on teachers and learners.
SEND white paper
Are you confident in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Do you receive sufficient training to support children with SEND?
On the line
Are students satisfied with online exams and how they are invigilated? Do they want them online in the future? What do they see as the positive and negative impacts?
Speaking up
Are students happy with their university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What are the best and worst things that students feel universities have done in response?
UK alumni engagement
How connected are alumni from more than 130 universities? What Net Promoter Scores are university groups receiving?
Lessons lost… and learned
What are teachers concerns around lockdown learning gaps? What are their plans for bridging the gaps?