Short Abstract

Connected Places Catapult, with KADA Research and Belmana, conduct a mixed-methods evaluation to assess the impact of its innovation work in transport and construction. Using evaluation to shape regulations and standards development enabling innovation and economic growth in the UK.

Description

Connected Places Catapult is the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport and construction. We are working with our external evaluation and learning partners KADA Research and Belmana, to evaluate the impact of our work and drive continuous improvement.

We are sharing interim findings from a mixed-methods evaluation that aims to bridge the gap between evidence and action. Our approach triangulates quantitative data with qualitative insights from beneficiary and stakeholder interviews. Due to the complexity and dynamic nature of innovations, process evaluation plays a large role. We use theory of change, counterfactual analysis, and quasi-experimental design to assess additionality and attribution.

At the Catapult our interventions often explore how innovations can be successful in the UK market. For sectors such as transport this is closely linked to the regulatory framework in which innovations would operate – from drone deliveries or taxis to how different fuels or propulsion technologies are regulated or supported. We work with policy makers, industry and academics to explore the practicalities and changes required. This addresses questions around governance, security, public trust and readiness for innovations and helps the UK economy to play a role in new and exciting developments.

Key findings of our evaluation include:

• Influencing Policy and Practice: Evidence from the evaluation has informed delivery, aligning it strategically with government missions (e.g., economic growth, net zero), shaped programme design, and contributed to policy consultations.

• Adaptive and Participatory Approaches: The evaluation has embedded learning cycles, participatory methods, and ongoing feedback, supporting a shift towards a more adaptive, evidence-informed culture.

• Barriers and Enablers: We identify factors that help or hinder the use of evaluation evidence, including data quality, and the need for timely, actionable insights.

We reflect on methodological lessons, including the value of integrating monitoring data with qualitative evidence, and the importance of adaptive evaluation in a rapidly changing policy context. The session will invite discussion on strategies for overcoming barriers to evidence use, building evaluation cultures, and ensuring that evaluation genuinely informs action.