Leverage our expertise and influence
Join the organisations partnering through our ‘What Works Co-Lab for Digital Inclusion’ to pioneer research, shape policy and drive systemic change.
Benefits include:
- Access to our research expertise
- Co-authorship of thought leadership papers
- Representation in policy discussions
- Invitations to exclusive roundtables
- Connection to our government partnerships
Examples of our Research and Advocacy Partnerships
The What Works? Co-Lab
The What Works? Co-Lab is a collaboration hub that builds on more than 20 years of research and evidence. It aims to share best practices, support innovative projects, and measure impact through robust data.
The What Works? Co-Lab launches with four new expert overviews exploring digital inclusion via the themes: Access, Basic digital skills, Confidence and engagement and Digital Services. In August 2024, Good Things Foundation brought together around 100 experts and practitioners from a range of sectors for a series of roundtable discussions to help to form ideas to drive action on digital inclusion. These papers summarise the data and insights provided to participants ahead of the roundtables so that they had an understanding of key insights and practice from the UK and elsewhere.
Exploring the relationship between deep poverty and digital exclusion
The Trussell Trust and Good Things Foundation commissioned WPI Economics to review the evidence base on the links between digital exclusion and deep poverty in the UK.
Through an audit of 15 datasets, desk research, and expert interviews, WPI Economics asked:
- How, if at all, does digital exclusion drive people deeper into poverty, or trap people in deep poverty?
- What role does digital exclusion play in cutting off access to services, support, or opportunities to get on in life?
- What evidence gaps exist, and how might these be filled
- What do existing trends tell us about how this issue might develop in the future?
Minimum Digital Living Standard
The MDLS (Minimum Digital Living Standard) project is groundbreaking research led by the University of Liverpool, Loughborough University, and Good Things Foundation.
What is the Minimum Digital Living Standard?
Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) is the minimum digital standard of living for households and includes, but is more than, having accessible internet, adequate equipment, and the skills, knowledge and support people need. It is about being able to communicate, connect and engage with opportunities safely and with confidence.
The ‘Minimum Digital Living Standard‘ project is a collaboration, involving researchers and professionals. The team members have a range of expertise in the field of researching and tackling digital inequalities, understanding living standards and the ways in which technology (devices and broadband) can assist families in their everyday lives.
Power Up 2.0
An initiative by Good Things Foundation initiative, supported by JPMorganChase, Power Up set out to deliver initially for 18 months between 2019 and 2021. Building on success, Power Up 2.0 was launched - investing in nine providers between March 2022 and April 2024, with greater focus on helping people achieve longer-term outcomes around employment (Jobs and Skills) or to maximise and stabilise their incomes (Financial Health).
At the core of Power Up is its framework for local action: Powering Up People, Provision and Places.
Good Things Foundation commissioned Chrysalis Research in March 2022 to do a full evaluation. Each Power Up provider conducted baseline and impact surveys with people they supported and submitted two annual reports. In addition, there were three waves of qualitative interviews with staff and people supported, and case studies were collated.