Evidence for the frontline

This UK report explores what can be drawn from the advances across a range of fields to mobilise research knowledge more effectively across social policy and practice.It frames the issue by looking at the individual elements of an effective evidence chain – production, synthesis, transformation and implementation – whilst at the same time considering what needs to be done to integrate these elements more coherently. As well as looking at gaps in current infrastructure, it also picks out some exciting new initiatives and ideas that can hopefully produce tangible benefits for professional practice.The report draws on the themes raised at the Alliance for Useful Evidence ‘Evidence for the Frontline; What Works for Practitioners?’ event in Autumn 2012, which included inputs from social care, policing and education, as well as on previous literature, events and seminars that have explored the interface between research and practice

Modelling the effect of physical variability on the midwater chlorophyll maximum

A coupled model, employing turbulence closure physics and cell-quota threshold limitation biology, has been used to simulate the evolution of the vertical distribution of phytoplankton in a seasonally stratified shelf sea. Predictions are compared with observations from the North Sea. Variations in surface wind stress, which episodically weaken the thermocline barrier to nutrient input to the photic zone, are shown to make an important contribution to the formation of a midwater chlorophyll maximum in Summer

Wind‐driven strain extends seasonal stratification

The onset and breakdown of stratification are key physical drivers of phytoplankton growth in shelf seas and the open ocean. We show how in the Celtic Sea, where seasonality in stratification is generally viewed as controlled by heat input, a cross‐shelf salinity gradient horizontally strained by the wind prolonged the stratified period by 5‐6 days in autumn prior to full winter mixing, whilst in spring caused seasonal stratification to begin 7 days early. Salinity straining has important implications for setting light conditions during the start of the spring bloom and for the timing of bottom water ventilation in winter. Analysis of winds around the time of likely onset of spring stratification between 1979 and 2016 showed that in 60% of the years wind conditions were favourable for salinity straining. Accurate knowledge of the horizontal salinity field and wind stress are required to correctly determine the onset and breakdown of stratification

Promoting teacher engagement with research evidence

The Centre was asked by the Cabinet Secretary for Education to review the evidence on how best to support teacher engagement with research. Working with colleagues at the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co‑ordinating Centre (EPPI Centre) at University College London (UCL), we have: 1) Reviewed and synthesised what is known about what works when seeking to improve teacher engagement with, and use of, evidence. 2) Started to build a picture of existing initiatives in Wales (particularly at national and regional level) that seek to improve teacher engagement with, and use of, evidence. 3) Provided some suggestions for how teacher engagement with, and use of, evidence can be supported and improved in Wales in the short, medium, and long term