Consumer harm takes many different forms, and is often difficult to spot. This has never been more true than in digital markets, where data-driven personalisation and automated decision making create new risks, as well as opportunities for consumers. Which? also know that different groups of consumers can have very different experiences, and that some groups – for example, women, people living with disabilities or health conditions, low-income households and members of diverse ethnic communities – might be more exposed to harm than other groups, or experience different types of harm.
Which? wants to help tackle all these harms, and regularly explore the experiences of different groups in their own research and policy work.
Through the Which? Fund, the Consumers' Association is offering funding to UK charities and universities that have exempt charitable status to explore the harms these groups of consumers are facing, and to identify pragmatic solutions. Which? want these projects to drive real change for consumers – through policy, regulation or changes in practice.
Which? want to support a small number of research projects aiming to:
- Improve understanding of consumer harm, particularly issues affecting diverse and disadvantaged communities
- Identify evidence-led, pragmatic solutions to consumer harm
- Develop and encourage collaborative working to provide a more powerful voice for UK consumers from all backgrounds.
This research should build on what is already known, bringing new evidence and identifying innovative solutions. Which? want to achieve real change, so insight must be targeted to audiences with the power to make a difference, and communicated in a compelling way. Which? are keen to support organisations using innovative methodologies to uncover consumer harm.
To help maximise the impact from this work, Which? also ask that applications align with one of their four impact areas: money, scams, digital life and consumer rights and protections.
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The deadline for stage 1 applications is: 29 September 2021, with stage 2 launching for those shortlisted in November.
If you’d like to apply for funding, email: Linda at [email protected] to receive an application form.