• Academic / Journal Article

Contracts with Benefits: the Implementation of Impact Investing

  • Source : Journal of Financial Economics
  • 1 January 2018
This article investigates the contractual structures and governance mechanisms employed in impact investing. It analyses how these contracts are designed to balance financial returns with social or environmental benefits, and the implications for policy and implementation. The authors delve into the specific terms and conditions that aim to align the interests of various stakeholders in impact investment deals, exploring how these agreements address the inherent complexities of achieving dual objectives.
  • Blog

Biodiversity Monitoring and Forecasting

  • Source : Alan Turing Institute
  • 23 July 2025
This resource discusses how big data is used in biodiversity monitoring and forecasting. It highlights the potential of data-driven approaches to track changes in ecosystems, predict biodiversity trends, and inform conservation efforts. By integrating machine learning and big data analytics, researchers and organizations can develop strategies to protect endangered species and maintain biodiversity. This article also emphasizes the role of technology in providing actionable insights to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
  • Case Study

Blended Finance Funds and Facilities: 2020 Survey Results

  • Source : OECD
  • 1 June 2022
This report presents the detailed results of a 2020 survey of blended finance funds and facilities. It provides a comprehensive analysis of their investment strategies, financial structures, geographic and sectoral focus, and development impact management and measurement systems. The study covers a diverse range of institutions, offering deep insights into current market trends and practices. It highlights how these specialised vehicles are structured to mobilise private capital for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides data on their performance, risk mitigation techniques, and contributions to sustainable development.
  • Case Study

Blended Finance -what It Is, How It Works and How It is Used

  • Source : Oxfam
  • 1 February 2017
This briefing provides a critical perspective on blended finance, examining its mechanisms and implications for sustainable development. While acknowledging its potential to mobilise private capital, the report raises significant concerns about its effectiveness and risks to the world’s poorest. It warns that blended finance initiatives may create harmful subsidies, fail to reach those most in need, and often lack transparency and accountability. The paper recommends that development goals must drive these initiatives, calling for strong safeguards, alignment with country priorities, and robust development impact measurement frameworks.
  • Case Study

Barclays Sustainable Finance Framework

  • Source : Barclays
  • 1 February 2021
This framework details Barclays’ comprehensive approach to sustainable finance, outlining the governance, eligibility criteria, and reporting standards for its green, social, and sustainability bonds. It clearly defines eligible asset categories, including renewable energy, green buildings, and access to essential services, carefully aligning them with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The document specifies the internal process for project evaluation, management of proceeds, and detailed impact reporting, thereby providing crucial transparency to investors and other stakeholders. It serves as a strategic blueprint for integrating ESG considerations into the bank’s core financing activities.
  • Blog

Data Science and Disability

  • Source : KDnuggets
  • 1 March 2016
This article explores how data science is being leveraged to address disability inclusion, ranging from personalised learning platforms to predictive tools in assistive technologies. It discusses the potential of machine learning for voice recognition, mobility tracking, and accessible interfaces that support autonomy and accessibility. The piece urges stronger data collection and disaggregation practices to inform inclusive policymaking. It calls for ethical frameworks to guide the design and deployment of technologies serving disabled communities.
  • Case Study

Assessing Impact Investing -five Doorways for Evaluators

  • Source : Rockfeller Foundation
  • 1 June 2014
This collection outlines priority areas in impact investing—agriculture, resilient cities, healthcare, financial inclusion—highlighting thematic strategies, funding instruments, and case insights. It aims to support investors and social enterprises in aligning capital to impact goals effectively. The report provides five “doorways” for evaluators to assess impact investing initiatives, covering policy, outcomes, and various financial instruments, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of diverse impact investment approaches.
  • Case Study

An Overview of Evidence Regarding the Impact of Impact Bonds as Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Education in Development Contexts

  • Source : UK Department for International Development
  • 1 February 2019
This report reviews financing options for urban infrastructure, including social impact bonds and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and examines their impact on education in development contexts. It outlines frameworks for evaluating private finance mechanisms, governance models, and risk-sharing tools. The authors recommend more robust impact benchmarking and stakeholder alignment to ensure equitable service delivery, highlighting challenges in implementing impact bonds for educational outcomes.
  • Case Study

An Introduction to Social Impact Investing

  • Source : Palgrave Studies in Impact Finance
  • 1 May 2017
This chapter explores the theoretical foundations of social enterprise, defining key concepts, governance structures, and hybrid business models. It examines how mission certification, stakeholder collaboration, and impact measurement systems inform enterprise strategy. It concludes with reflections on institutional challenges and future research directions in managing mission alongside market pressures, offering a comprehensive overview of social impact investment, ethical investing, and blend value.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Data Science Approaches to Infectious Disease Surveillance

  • Source : Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A
  • 1 November 2021
This paper investigates how advanced data science techniques such as machine learning, network modelling, and big data analytics are transforming infectious disease surveillance. It presents case studies including COVID-19 and malaria to illustrate how integrating data from clinical, environmental, and social sources enhances outbreak prediction, detection, and response strategies. The authors argue for the incorporation of real-time data analytics into public health systems to build resilient surveillance mechanisms that can adapt to emerging global health threats.
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