UCL Policy Lab

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 ⤵️

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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....

UCL celebrates 200 years: A landmark year begins Today, UCL marks 200 years since its foundation. Based in the heart of London, UCL is rooted in curiosity, tolerance and academic excellence. Throughout the year we will celebrate two centuries of lea...

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 Guest writer, Marc Stears, Director, UCL Policy Lab & former chief speechwriter to the Labour Party, reflects on what the artists, Turner and Constable, can tell us about Keir Starmer's leadership.

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...

Manchesterism could revive Britain's fading grandeur The towns and cities of the north and the Midlands were key to Britain's global success

"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...

Veronika Fikfak: ECHR Reform: A Danger of Contagion in Relation to Article 3 On Wednesday 10 December, which is also Human Rights Day, Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe will meet in Strasbourg to discuss how the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) should …

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...

Cabinet Office Minister Josh Simons drops in at the Museum of Broken Dreams.

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 What will Labour do when its asylum reforms don't work?

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-...

Changing public services is hard - what can we learn from those already doing it? James Baggaley and Grace Wyld (Head of Policy and Research at The Future Governance Forum) explore the drive behind our upcoming conference, Britain Renewed 2025: Public Service for People and Place, ...

"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, Profs Lauren Andres and Mike Raco discuss the role that AI can play in the capital's planning.

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 ⤵️

Our universities can save us from America's political division New research shows Britain is proud of its institutions' ability to foster disagreement

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 remain a source of local and national pride A new report by the UCL Policy Lab and More in Common reveals that at a time of growing political divides, universities are a source of national success and local pride. However, universities and othe...

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

We found there is an emerging graduate gap. 81% of graduates say universities are good for the country, but this drops to just 55% among non-graduates.

Universities must work to demonstrate that they remain open and respectful of all if they're to continue being Shared Institutions.

In a polarised Britain, universities remain a source of local and national pride A new report by the UCL Policy Lab and More in Common reveals that at a time of growing political divides, universities are a source of national success and local pride. However, universities and othe...

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.

Failure of school system to support poorest students is leading to rising NEET figures The school system consistently fails society’s poorest children and requires thorough reform, finds new UCL Policy Lab report authored by former Department for Education Permanent Secretary, Jonathan ...

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...