Research by topic

Education and skills

The Welsh Government is committed to learning, education and skills policies. Research enables us to shape our policies and services to the needs of learners and learning providers in Wales. You can access reports published by us on this topic through the Education and skills research and evaluation pages.

Environment and countryside

We aim to create a sustainable environment for the people of Wales and for future generations. The role of research and evaluation is to inform, support and shape current and future policy development. Click on the links below if you would like to find out more about research funded by us on this topic.

• Environment research programme - A research and monitoring programme on the environment, funded by the Welsh Government. The programme aims to complement the  research carried out by other government departments and agencies, to ensure that through collaborative funding and steering of projects, specific Welsh issues are researched adequately. 
• Wales Rural Observatory - Undertakes independent research across a range of areas including environmental, social, economic and cultural issues affecting rural Wales. Funded by us through the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 to support evidence-based rural policymaking in Wales.

Health and social care

We care about the health and well being of everyone living in Wales. Research helps us make better policies and deliver better services. This is about much more than treating disease - it is about addressing the social, economic and environmental influences that affect health and well being. Health and social care research is carried out by the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research Clinical Research Centre (NISCHR).

• Research by NISCHR - NISCHR develops policy on research and development (R&D), commissions and funds R&D activity and contract manages projects and initiatives to reflect health and social care priorities.

Housing and community

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live in a good quality home within a secure and safe community. Our research helps us develop policies that deliver this vision, regenerating communities and improving the lives of people in Wales. Research reports and summaries published by us on this topic can be accessed through the Housing and community research pages.

International

The aim of the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) is to make European Structural Funds work efficiently and effectively in Wales. The Welsh European Funding Office Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Team monitors and evaluates the impact of current and past generations of Structural Fund programmes on the economic and structural problems of Wales.

Local Government

We provide financial support to Local Authorities in Wales and work closely with them to improve their capacity and capability to deliver their services. From the Local Government research pages, you can access research reports published by us on this topic.

Planning

We are responsible for the overall framework of the planning system in Wales. The Wales Planning Research Programme and the Minerals Research Programme have been established to support planning policy development in Wales. You can find out more through the Planning research pages.

Tourism

Tourism is a hugely competitive, dynamic and constantly changing industry. Our tourism team Visit Wales is responsible for the promotion and development of tourism in Wales. The role of our Tourism Research team is to support these key functions. You can find out more on our research in this topic area through the tourism research pages.