M·E·L Research Undertaking Unipol’s Accommodation Costs Survey for London in 2024
M·E·L Research is proud to announce that it will be conducting the Accommodation Costs Survey (ACS) for Unipol in London in 2024. Having previously undertaken the main ACS, as well as a focussed report on ten cities in 2023, we are excited to continue our collaboration with Unipol to deliver valuable insights into the housing landscape for students in the capital.
The ACS is a critical tool for understanding the affordability and accessibility of student accommodation, and the drivers of that, from the perspective of providers. With the cost of living in London continuing to rise, this year’s survey will provide essential data to help universities, housing providers, and policymakers make informed decisions to support students.
Elliot Simmonds, Research Director at M·E·L Research, commented on the upcoming survey:
“We are thrilled to be working with Unipol once again on the Accommodation Costs Survey, this time with a focus on London. Our previous studies have highlighted the significant pressures faced by providers and as a result students in securing affordable housing. This year’s survey will be crucial in providing up-to-date insights that will help shape the future of student accommodation in one of the world’s most dynamic and challenging housing markets, which is also home to many of the UK’s and the world’s most renowned higher education institutions.”
Previous Studies
In 2023, our Ten Cities survey with Unipol revealed significant findings regarding the student housing affordability crisis. These insights have been pivotal in shaping discussions around student accommodation across the UK. You can read more about the key findings from our ten cities rent survey here.
Moreover, our partnership with Unipol has extended to surveying the experiences of international students in the UK, shedding light on their unique challenges and needs. This comprehensive study has provided a deeper understanding of the international student housing landscape. Further details on this work can be found here.
How do we demonstrate the true value of culture and heritage? And are we measuring everything that matters?
These were two of the questions that stood out during the third day of the Culture and Heritage Capital: Putting Theory into Practice conference.
Cultural organisations have long recognised that their impact extends beyond visitor numbers, ticket sales and tourism revenue. Museums, heritage sites and cultural programmes can support mental health and wellbeing, strengthen community connections, create opportunities for learning and preserve our shared…
M·E·L Research is pleased to be working with the British Film Institute (BFI) on a three-year evaluation of the BFI Film Academy programme. Since 2012, BFI Film Academy has supported young people to develop skills, confidence, knowledge and networks and explore routes into careers across the screen industries. The refreshed 2026–2029 programme builds on this experience, creating connected pathways from early engagement through to specialist training, mentoring, placements and industry-facing progression, with a strong emphasis on…
M·E·L Research is pleased to welcome four new colleagues to our growing team, strengthening our research and evaluation expertise as we continue to expand our services and support clients.
The appointments of Laura Karban, Associate Director; Bethan Jewsbury, Senior Evaluation Managers; and Chloe Parker, Research Manager, alongside Rhoslyn Davies, who joins us on a short-term basis to provide additional senior evaluation support, bring a wealth of experience across social research, evaluation, public policy…
It was an absolute honour to attend the Women’s Health Conference in London this week, bringing together clinicians, policymakers, campaigners and others passionate about improving women’s health.
As a researcher specialising in women’s health social research, I was excited to have the opportunity to learn, be challenged and exchange ideas with people who share that passion. And I wasn’t disappointed.
There has (quite rightly) been a lot of discussion recently about the gender health gap. But some of the evidence shared…
We are pleased to be working with the MS Society on new health and care social research exploring how health and care services can better support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and help reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
The health and care social research study will focus on opportunities for earlier intervention and more coordinated, preventative support, while recognising that hospital admission is sometimes clinically necessary. It will…
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor…
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
