Social research

Social research at BRE

Understanding people's views about the environment they live and work in, is crucial if we want to improve it. But how often do we find out how people think, feel and behave?

BRE's team of social researchers are trained in a range of disciplines including environmental psychology, organisational psychology, statistics, and economics. We undertake qualitative and quantitative research including postal and telephone questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, focus groups, workshops and large-scale testing programmes. We also provide a questionnaire and survey design service.

Working alongside BRE's technical experts we can provide valuable insight into important issues such as energy efficiency, health, comfort, productivity, construction, crime and neighbourhood renewal. Few other organisations can offer this combination of social research skills and technical knowledge.

Recent work includes:

• Investigation of electrical appliance power consumption and user behaviour
• Finding out Housing Association tenants' experiences of living in environmental housing
• Consumer research into showers, cooking appliances, kitchens and water meters
• Carrying out POE (Post Occupancy Evaluations) of offices, schools, university buildings
• Investigating the balance between energy efficiency and occupant health and comfort in offices and homes (The HOPE project)
• Collecting housing professionals' views about off-site manufactured housing
• Research into current attitudes to and practice of sustainability in the property development and construction sectors