Shift Learning Case Studies
While some of Shift’s work was confidential, we are grateful to have received client permission to share the following case studies of projects we completed.
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- Awarding organisations
- English Language Learning and International Education
- Public sector and not-for-profit
- Publishing, media and EdTech
- Schools
- Universities, HE and FE
Youth Engagement Research
British Red Cross (BRC) launched their new brand strategy, with the strapline ‘The power of kindness’, aiming to position the BRC as a movement in which everyone who wants to share their kindness can take part. This research aimed to enhance the BRC’s understanding of young people (especially those who have no current connection to the BRC) in this context, as well as of the people who influence them.
Public sector and not-for-profit
Skills shortages
Together the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre represent 500 of the UK’s leading theatre producers, venue owners and managers, and performing arts centres, alongside 1,350 professional theatre makers across the UK. A 2020 report by the Policy Evidence Centre found that 42% of employers in the creative industries faced skill shortages. Shift were commissioned to investigate where and why skills gaps exist within off-stage technical roles in the theatre industry and how these can be addressed.
Public sector and not-for-profit
Brand Health
London Business School wanted to conduct a brand health survey to better understand brand awareness of LBS, key considerations amongst prospective students and perceptions of business schools and providers.
Universities, HE and FE
Provider perceptions of communication and engagement approaches
Over the last 18 months, the Office for Students (OfS) has made changes to its engagement and communication channels with higher education providers in England. The OfS commissioned Shift to explore providers’ perceptions of these changes, to understand what is working well and what could be improved. This follows on from a previous wave of research, which explored providers’ perceptions of the OfS more broadly.
Public sector and not-for-profit, Universities, HE and FE
Future Skills
UAL wanted to better understand the impact of a creative education on graduates working in non-creative roles and industries. The aim was to generate examples of how graduates equipped with creative and ‘future’ skills are transforming the world. This project aimed to support UAL’s strategy around the power of creativity as an employability skill.
Universities, HE and FE
Adoption of digital assessment globally
RM, in partnership with the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA), were looking to publish a research report exploring the adoption of digital assessment across the world. We worked with both organisations to design and deliver this research, the result of which was a white paper, considered to be one of the first examples of comprehensive research into attitudes to digital assessment across sectors.
Public sector and not-for-profit
Influencers’ perceptions of green apprenticeships
The MCS Foundation wanted to understand teachers, parents/carers and career advisers’ perceptions of both apprenticeships and green jobs, to understand what influences might prevent young people from choosing these routes. The research aimed to generate findings that could be used to evidence intervention areas and improve messaging around technical routes into green careers.
Public sector and not-for-profit
Competitor desk research
Cardiff Open Art School (COAS) is part of the Cardiff School of Art & Design, and a provider of high-quality Art and Design courses for learners in South Wales. COAS wanted to undertake research to support decision-making around where their course offer should focus, in terms of audience and topics, as well as to guide pricing decisions, and commissioned Shift to conduct this project.
Universities, HE and FE
The State of Open Data
Now in its eighth year, the State of Open Data is the longest-running longitudinal analysis of researchers’ attitudes towards and experiences of open data. It is the result of a collaboration between Digital Science, Figshare and Springer Nature. 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 the development of the survey and conduct an initial analysis of its findings.
Publishing, media and EdTech, Universities, HE and FE
ELT Brand Study
National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage, is a provider of English Language Teaching (ELT) resources, delivered in print and digital formats. National Geographic Learning wanted to measure perceptions of its brand amongst ELT professionals, and measure this alongside close competitors in the market across a spread of regions.
English Language Learning and International Education, Publishing, media and EdTech
Apprenticeships end-point assessment
Pearson wanted to understand how both current and potential customers offering apprenticeships training choose end-point assessment providers, as well as their challenges, needs and preferences. The overall objective was to develop an evidence base from which to develop a strategy for improving Pearson’s offer around end-point assessment and ultimately growing their EPA business.
Awarding organisations
Qualifications demand research
A UK awarding body wanted to investigate market demand for qualifications in three sectors, with a view to developing future qualifications in these areas. The research was conducted to ensure that these qualifications stand out in the identified markets, are attractive to centres, fill gaps in current provision and address current and anticipated skills gaps in the relevant employment sectors over the next 5 years.
Awarding organisations