It was a great honour to host Diego Martínez Belío, Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs. We were joined by those from across politics, philanthropy, journalism and campaigning to hear the distinctive Spanish approach to our current global disorder.

The government’s social cohesion plan marks a major step forward for communities. As UCL Policy Lab research shows, the government's new Social Cohesion Action Plan is right to focus on how local communities are the bedrock of cohesion. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Join our colleagues at @uclpublicpolicy.bsky.social for their next Up Close and Policy event on 9 March, exploring how community‑powered approaches can help create fairer, more vibrant and more resilient places. Find out more ⤵️

Government tackling important reforms on SEND support in schools today. UCL research has long shown that inclusion in mainstream schools can bring huge advantages when done in the right way. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

You may notice that the UCL Policy Lab's brand is looking a little different. That's because we're getting a fresh new look as we celebrate UCL's 200th anniversary. www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...

Today marks 200 years since UCL first opened its doors 🎉 This year will see an exciting and varied programme of activities, events and storytelling across our community as we celebrate this milestone, and look to the future.

Neither rain nor fire, Sir Keir Starmer's fading search for a story. New on HopeWorks: @mds49.bsky.social reflects on what the artists Turner and Constable can tell us about Keir Starmer's leadership. thisishopeworks.substack.com/p/rain-nor-f...

"Britain has only ever been able to stand tall in the world, alongside partners, when it’s allowed all parts of the country to succeed." @mds49.bsky.social on @andyburnham.bsky.social speech at @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @theifs.bsky.social. www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...

Tax Reform and the British Economy. Experts from the US, Europe and Asia will gather at UCL for a two-day conference supported by @ucleconomics.bsky.social @stoneeconucl.bsky.social helping explore ideas to support tax reform in Britain and around the world. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

ECHR Reform: A Danger of Contagion in Relation to Article 3 Veronika Fikfak from @uclspp.bsky.social on the propsed changes to the ECHR. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/09/v...

Earlier this week, we took the Museum of Broken Dreams to the ‘Britain Renewed’ conference - because communities must be at the heart of our country’s renewal. Organised by @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @futuregovforum.bsky.social. Visit the exhibition: arcg.is/0K9SvG1 @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social

We failed Gen Z on social media – we cannot fail them on AI, too. UCL Policy Lab Hon Prof @noreenahertz.bsky.social on the need to understand the impact of AI on young people. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12...

“Place is where trust is built or broken. So, place must be our orienting principle.” It was a pleasure to welcome @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social to Britain Renewed 2026 with @futuregovforum.bsky.social to discuss how we can drive a new era in public service reform.

A Hundred Origin Stories – an Unfinished History of Relational Public Services. Simon Parker, Becca Dove and Benjamin Taylor explore the history of relational public services, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Labour MPs cheer the Chancellor’s attack on poverty, but is there a bigger story to come? Latest analysis from the Budget. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Labour MPs cheer the Chancellor’s attack on poverty, but is there a bigger story to come? Latest anylsis from the Budget. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Voters want agency and respect: it’s why politics must do relationships, not just delivery. @danhonig.bsky.social explores why agency and respect are crucial to understanding the political moment we find ourselves in, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

New research shows that empowered local communities are most effective at responding to crises. A new report from Lauren Andres @thebartlettucl.bsky.social and Jennifer Constantine takes lessons from COVID-19 for how we build resilience. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis. My latest for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on why the home secretary risks doing what every conservative home secretary has done: tackling the wrong problem while raising the political stakes. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

"Real change will not just be measured in political projects or opinion polls, but will be measured in the lives of people and places across Britain." Read @jimbaggaley.bsky.social and @gracewyld.bsky.social on the need for a public service reform based on respect. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Can AI help London plan better? In a special UCL Policy Lab policy insight blog, Professors Lauren Andres and Mike Raco (@thebartlettucl.bsky.social) discuss the role that AI can play in the capital's planning. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Fantastic to join @locality.org.uk yesterday for the launch of their new report, Community powered neighbourhoods. Read the full report here ⤵️

Don't miss Cricket, Imperial Culture and the Remaking of Postwar England at @ucl-ias.bsky.social this evening. Find out more and sign up ⤵️

Universities showcase the strengths and possible weaknesses of British institutions. I've written for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about our latest research, Shared Institutions on universities from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @moreincommonuk.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

In a polarised Britain, universities are sources of local and national pride, finds a new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social @moreincommonuk.bsky.social report. However, it shows a growing gap in support between grads and non grads and suggests unis must demonstrate their benefit to society as a whole.

Our new report with @uclpolicylab.bsky.social, Shared Institutions, is a deep dive of public opinion on universities. At a top level Britons feel positively about our universities impact on the UK & their local area. But emerging divides show the sector can’t take public opinion for granted

Our new report Shared Institutions with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social explores the public's view of universities. We find universities encapsulate the challenges facing a range of Britain's institutions. Strong support remains, but gaps are emerging among reform voters. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

New research from our colleagues at @uclgeography.bsky.social - @profmarkmaslin.bsky.social and Colm O'Shea highlight how wind power has cut at least £104bn from energy costs in the UK. Read more about their research here:

The education system consistently fails society’s poorest children and requires thorough reform, finds a new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social report. Report author Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education, spoke to BBC Radio 4.

Very interesting idea here to pilot more collaborative, place-based working between schools to tackle the attainment gap in specific areas, and suspend Ofsted inspections during those pilots.

We encourage you to read this new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social report by former Department for Education Permanent Secretary, Jonathan Slater, on how the school system should be reformed to support society’s poorest children www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

The education system is failing too many working-class pupils, but we can turn it around. Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.

In the latest edition of the UCL Policy Lab magazine, we speak to Prof. Christian Schuster (@uclspp.bsky.social) about how data can help rebuild trust in public organisations. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

As Rachel Reeves prepares her budget, inflation and its impact on ordinary people will have a significant impact on the kind of taxes and spending the chancellor opts for. Lukasz Rachel @ucleconomics.bsky.social on the government's ongoing grapple with inflation. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

"A striking theme emerged across the two conferences this year: a return to community as the anchor for rebuilding the social fabric of the nation." Lauren Andres, Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities @uclgrandchallenges.bsky.social reflects on Party Conference season. www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challe...

Congratulations to Philippe Aghion for winning the Nobel Prize for Economics, together with Joel Mokyr and Peter Howitt. www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo...

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Manchester for this year's Conservative Conference, for excellent, packed-out conversations - from the future of conservatism and public service reform, to how we can rebuild social cohesion.

About to hear what David Davis, Esther McVey and Penny Mordaunt think is the future of the right, with Luke Tryl and Marc Stears for @moreincommonuk.bsky.social & @uclpolicylab.bsky.social

Join us at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. Firs up on Monday ➡️ Conservative Thinking at the Crossroads: Where Next for the Right?

💭 We're reflecting on a busy #LabourConference 2025, where the power of community, and the importance of growth that everyone can see and feel, were central themes. Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25

Is community Labour’s new big idea? Our @uclpolicylab.bsky.social reflections from Labour Party conference here: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

We were joined by leaders from across Britain for a celebration of what brings us together. In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.

We’re thrilled to launch a new essay collection with @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @powertochange.org.uk, that calls on Labour to re-embrace communitarianism: politics with communities at its heart. Read the full collection of thought-provoking essays: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...

Pleased to see @sundersays.bsky.social highlight the new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social essay collection on Labour and communitarianism in his response to the anonymous screed being circulated of late amongst Labour MPs

Very much enjoyed participating in this event hosted by @uclpolicylab.bsky.social at #Lab25 conference yesterday. Lots of interesting and thoughtful ideas from both panel and audience alike on how we can spread opportunity across the country - this govt is committed to making this happen!

I was delighted to contribute to this excellent @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @powertochange.org.uk essay collection on “Labour and the communitarian tradition”, alongside @ewallis.bsky.social, @mds49.bsky.social, @caitprowle.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social & @andyburnham.bsky.social

Today, we launch A Nation of Neighbours: Rebuilding Britain from the Ground Up, a report by Demos and the @uclpolicylab.bsky.social, supported by @lbfew.bsky.social demos.co.uk/research/a-n...

Super proud of this brilliant programme of panels. Do join us if you’re in Liverpool.

📍Join us as 12:00 for our first event Richard Hermer KC, Attorney General in conversation with @mds49.bsky.social. Sherwood Arena Room, ACC.

On way to Liverpool and looking forward to kicking off conference with this great panel to launch a new essay collection exploring communitarianism and social democracy, with lots of fresh voices to the debate.