Our Thinking

 

Where Research, Insight and Communication Meet

Explore ideas, perspectives and practical lessons to help you tackle today's communications challenges.

Latest Articles

From original research and industry commentary to campaign insights and creative thinking, discover the ideas, evidence and experiences shaping effective communication today.

Two people sit facing each other in conversation in a softly lit room, silhouetted against a large window overlooking a blurred cityscape.

Before the Story

Trauma-informed interviewing starts before the first question is asked. Explore how safety, meaningful consent, choice and care can help people feel respected and in control when sharing difficult or deeply personal experiences.

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A close-up of a British Armed Forces uniform with a Union Flag shoulder patch forms the background to a BFBS Creative thought leadership graphic. The headline reads: "Kit Makes the Headlines. People Make the Capability." The subheading reads: "The real test of the Defence Investment Plan."

Kit Makes The Headlines. People Make The Capability.

The Defence Investment Plan promises major investment in military capability, but equipment alone doesn't deliver advantage. We explore why recruitment, retention and the lived experience of service are just as critical to the future of UK defence.

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BFBS Creative article banner titled "Crime Is Falling. Almost Nobody Believes It. Why perception, not reality, is the thing social research has to measure". The article explores the gap between public perceptions of crime and long-term crime data, and what this reveals about behaviour, trust and communication.

Why perception, not reality, is the thing social research has to measure

Crime has fallen dramatically across much of the Western world, yet most people believe it is rising. What explains the gap between reality and perception, and why does it matter for anyone trying to understand public attitudes and behaviour?

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Graphic featuring a partially visible Progress Pride flag with the headline, “The cost of hiding and the freedom to be yourself,” alongside the BFBS Creative logo.

The Cost of Hiding and the Freedom to Be Yourself

Drawing on two episodes of The Culture Colonel, this article explores identity, authenticity and the lasting cost of feeling unable to be yourself. It considers what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice and why belonging must go beyond visible support during Pride.

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BFBS Creative banner showing three uniformed reservists beneath aircraft in formation, with the headline “Seven Years One Brief Sixty Films”.

What Our Longest Client Relationship Taught Us About Video Production

Discover how we turned one brief into sixty films across the UK through audience understanding, creative thinking and long-term partnership.

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Dark green BFBS Creative article banner reading “Not a Cheat Code” against a subtle digital tunnel background.

What Can Gaming and Esports Really Offer Armed Forces Recruitment?

Gaming and esports are becoming increasingly relevant to Armed Forces recruitment, military recruitment and audience engagement strategies. Explore what this means for reaching younger audiences and building effective recruitment campaigns.

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Research reports & resources

Insights in Brief

The research is only the beginning.

Discover the ideas and insights shaping how organisations understand audiences and communicate more effectively, and explore what they could mean for your own organisation.