Projects We Have Worked On
We have a long track-record of delivering high-quality research, training and consultancy for clients from many different sectors. Here are just a few examples of projects we’ve worked on.
Client: Highways England
Project: Teaching people to drive on the high-speed network.
Methods: Focus groups with novice and learner drivers and with Advanced Driving Instructors provided insight into knowledge, behaviours and anxieties about driving on the high-speed network. A survey with drivers and instructors identified the most common knowledge gaps and risks, and how people would like to learn about motorway driving.
Outputs: The research findings are being used to help develop tools to help people learn to drive safely on motorways and other high-speed roads.
Client: RAC Foundation
Project: Producing a guide on using behaviour change techniques for road safety practitioners.
Methods: Desk research, building on an RAC Foundation report by Dr Mark Sullman, to review the theory and evidence on which behaviour change techniques to use in the road safety setting.
Outputs: A report for road safety practitioners that guides them through the process of designing an intervention to change behaviour, selecting and applying behaviour change techniques, using behavioural insights, and evaluating the intervention.
The report has been nominated for a Prince Micheal International Road Safety Award.
Client: Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust
Project: Redesigning cancer follow-up services across four cancer pathways in Leeds.
Methods: Focus groups and in-depth interviews with cancer follow-up patients who had experienced treatment and follow-up care for colorectal, prostate, gynaecological or childhood cancers. The qualitative research explored patients’ experiences of the current care pathway and innovative future care options.
Outputs: A research findings report for each clinical team exploring patients’ experiences and service redesign recommendations to deliver the best emotional and psychological outcomes for patients.
Client: Kirklees Council Public Health Directorate
Project: Evaluation of an innovative digital self-care tool, My Health Tools.
Methods: Mixed methods research including a randomised control trial (RCT) and longitudinal in-depth interviews with people who used the tool and semi-structured interviews with people who stopped using it. We also interviewed health professionals to explore how the tool influences their practice. The research was designed to explore how people interact with the platform, their barriers to using it, the outcomes it achieves and its potential for changing how people self-manage their long-term conditions.
Outputs: Comprehensive research findings report that provides an evidence base our client can use to further develop the tool and to increase its capacity to achieve behaviour change.
Client: Forestry Commission Scotland
Project: Increasing dog walking in Scottish National Forests.
Methods: Mixed methods research comprising a survey of 300 dog owners who were less active than government recommended guidelines, focus groups with dog owners living near to Scottish Forestry Commission woodland sites and in-depth interviews with vets.
Outputs: The Research report for the client, a presentation at Crufts and a workshop with relevant land management, policy and public health stakeholders to explore how they can implement the recommendations. We also produced a summary report so that the client could share and promote the findings.
Client: Leeds City Council and Dying Matters Partnership
Project: Evaluation of the Leeds Dying Matters campaign.
Methods: Our research focused on gaining qualitative insight to understand if, how and why campaign activities changed beliefs and intentions around discussing end-of-life wishes, dying and bereavement. We conducted focus groups with the general public in Leeds and in-depth interviews with health professionals.
Outputs: Report and presentation for the client steering group, including evidence-based recommendations to support future development and delivery of the campaign so that it optimises its behaviour change potential.
What they say: Our experience of working with Brainbox has been a very positive one. They are very professional and had the expertise, knowledge and understanding to fulfil our brief. The quality of the research was excellent and the findings were presented in a professional and clear format.
Client: Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group
Project: Evaluation of the Leeds-wide Antibiotics Awareness campaign to reduce antibiotic resistance.
Methods: The research included a Leeds-wide survey of residents, focus groups with target resident groups and a survey of health professionals who can prescribe antibiotics. The data collection captured residents’ beliefs, behaviour and understanding of antibiotics and the campaign, as well as health professionals’ perceptions of the campaign.
Outputs: Report and presentation for the client, including insights into how future campaigns could best change residents’ beliefs and behaviours around antibiotics.
Client: Leeds St James’s Hospital Endoscopy Unit
Project: Designing a patient website about endoscopy services.
Methods: Focus groups with patients who had experienced one or more endoscopy procedures exploring their care experiences, information needs and ways to reduce pre-procedure anxiety.
Outputs: Report describing the research findings and a series of recommendations about how to deliver effective and impactful online resources for patients.