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The impact pertains to material changes instituted in UK devolution, principally in Wales, but increasingly beyond. The impacts on public policy, law and services are:
This impact occurred in the period from 2008-2013 and flowed from research led by Professor Laura McAllister which had identified:
Cognitive ergonomics research helps understanding about how people use information, instructions and guidance about consumer products. Research conducted in the Centre for Psychological Research has enabled real-world improvements in the design and presentation of product information. One strand of research provided the first evidence about the psychology of flat pack self-assembly products, with significant impacts on industry policy and good practice, and on public awareness and understanding. Another strand of research provided evidence about how people use traffic light food labelling systems, enabling consumers to make more informed health-related choices about food products, with significant potential health benefits. The research was included as key evidence in policy statements that led to the introduction of a Health Star Rating food label system in Australia.
Before the UK's 2010 election there were widespread fears that a hung Parliament might lead to political and economic chaos. Research conducted and published by the UCL Constitution Unit showed both the necessity for a Cabinet Manual to guide the process of forming a new government in the event of a hung Parliament, and examined the best models available. Although the full Cabinet Manual was published in 2011, the Cabinet Office published a key chapter (Elections and Government Formation) before the 2010 general election. The chapter, which drew heavily on the insights of and recommendations made in the UCL research, helped ensure in May 2010 an orderly transition to government of the first coalition in 60 years. That transition was also supported by the researchers' use of their findings to enhance understanding among professional, media and public audiences of what would happen in the event of a hung parliament.
Research undertaken by Dr John Baker at the University's Institute for Name-Studies (INS) through the Leverhulme-funded Landscapes of Governance project has:
The Eurozone crisis has exposed the limited capacity of the Greek government to implement structural reforms. As a result of Kevin Featherstone's record of academic research on reform capacity, his newspaper articles and private discussions with politicians, Prime Minister George Papandreou appointed him to an informal group, and then as member and rapporteur of a formal Committee whose remit was to propose reforms of governance. In a subsequent live televised cabinet meeting Papandreou, citing Featherstone by name, announced his intention to reform the central offices of government in line with the recommendations of the Committee's Report.
The resulting Presidential Decree has survived two successive governments. An OECD Report, citing Featherstone, made the same argument, and the reforms were reaffirmed by Greece's major creditors (the International Monetary Fund [IMF], the European Union [EU] and the European Central Bank [ECB]) for the second `bailout'.