Priority Research Topics and Questions for Government Skills
A strategic framework of long-term questions where external research and evidence can most effectively inform our work.
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Introduction and Purpose
The Priority Research Topics (PRTs) for Government Skills set out a strategic framework of long-term questions where external research and evidence can most effectively inform future public sector capability, curriculum design and delivery strategy. In alignment with the wider Civil Service commitment to evidence-informed policy, pioneered through departmental Areas of Research Interest (ARIs), these PRTs aim to bridge the gap between academic theory and operational public service delivery.
As Government Skills transitions to become the new National School of Government and Public Services, embedding a robust, multidisciplinary evidence base is critical. The purpose of this document is threefold: to accelerate engagement with external research communities; to establish long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships; and to provide a transparent guide for researchers on where their expertise can achieve the highest public impact.
These topics have been co-produced through deep internal consultation alongside a dedicated founding group of academic partners, ensuring the questions are both operationally relevant to government and technically rigorous for the research community.
Strategic Objectives and Research Themes
To ensure clear alignment with Directorate priorities, these PRTs are directly mapped to the strategic goals of Government Skills and the National School. Our work focuses on creating a world-class learning ecosystem that delivers measurable value for money for the taxpayer.
The analytical and research evidence we seek is grouped into the following core themes:
Theme 1: Leadership, Management and Collective Capability
Theme 2: Strategic Skills and Curriculum Design
Theme 3: Professional Pathways and Talent Pipeline
Theme 4: Transformation and Delivery Infrastructure
Theme 5: Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Mobility
Theme 6: Evidence, Impact, and Governance
These questions are not an exhaustive or definitive list of all analytical interests. Rather, they represent an enduring subset of priorities where external research is uniquely placed to enhance our delivery, de-risk capability strategies and drive public service excellence.
Engaging with the Priority Research Topics
We welcome the opportunity to extend our networks as widely as possible and are deeply committed to inclusive engagement. We highly encourage submissions and expressions of interest from researchers at all career stages, including Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and from a diverse range of academic institutions and disciplines.
We invite you to engage with these PRTs if you:
- Have existing peer-reviewed evidence, data, or systematic reviews that completely or partly answer one of our questions.
- Are currently conducting, or planning to conduct, research aligned with these themes.
- Are drafting a research grant or funding application that references these PRTs to demonstrate the real-world, public impact of your work.
- Wish to join our College of Experts (CoE) to provide agile, rapid-access advice and participate in knowledge-exchange workshops.
Submissions will be triaged by a dedicated Secretariat function. Where relevant, evidence will be synthesised and shared directly with curriculum designers, capability leads and senior decision-makers across Government Skills. Where appropriate, relevant teams may support outstanding research proposals by providing letters of support for funding applications.
Please note: Publication of these PRTs does not imply or guarantee direct research funding from the department. Formal commissions and competitively tendered research projects will continue to be published through standard government procurement channels.
How to Get in Touch
To submit evidence or express an interest in collaborating on a specific PRT, please email: govskills.coe@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please include the relevant PRT title in the subject line of your email.