Marc Stears

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

Our universities can save us from America's political division

New research shows Britain is proud of its institutions’ ability to foster disagreement

By James Baggaley

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

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...

The Welsh town that saw off Nigel Farage – video In last week's byelection in the Welsh constituency of Caerphilly, Reform UK were the hot favourites, and the focus of huge attention. But as John Harris and John Domokos saw close-up, a Reform win fa...

Love this new video from @johnharris1969.bsky.social - perfectly captures the beautiful spirit of a town I know so well from childhood. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

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.

Not membership, those entitled to vote including in affiliated unions.

Not close in the end

Stephen Bush on the extraordinary draft legislation which Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, Matt Vickers, Katie Lam and backbench colleagues have proposed in parliament

It is a proposal that would seek to deport around 5% of the resident population, including over a quarter of a million with ILR

Tory deportation plan would upend Britain Proposing such a radical bill with little public support is a gift to Nigel Farage

Hadn’t, in truth, really absorbed the scale of what the Conservatives are proposing on ILR and immigration more broadly until this week’s Sunday Times interviews. Some thoughts on that in today’s note:

We should seek local solutions to our global problems Worn-out top-down approaches won’t help us build lasting shared prosperity

Great piece from @drodrik.bsky.social which echoes themes in our report about net zero (above) - there is a need to take action at local levels for national and global issues to engage communities and make a tangible difference to people’s lives
on.ft.com/4ojhXIh

Interested in cities, places, connectivity, & planning? Applications are open for fully-funded UCL ESRC doctoral studentships through the UBEL partnership. The deadline is 10 November. See further details & eligibility criteria at ubel-dtp.ac.uk/postdoctoral... Contact bartlett.phd-ecidi@ucl.ac.uk

It’s the despair that’s going to kill us Time to cheer up

My hero is a farmer, not a duck. Which will only make sense if you read this new piece by me, the start of a new substack which I am bravely calling How To Run A Country.

howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/its-the-de...

Interesting and troubling report/thread here on vulnerability of scientific bodies to politicisation, something the public do not want and is not in there interest but could happen nonetheless if politicians with selective or hostile views on science and evidence were in charge

The ‘Anthropological Change’ Happening in Venezuela Maduro is still in place, but a pro-democracy movement is transforming the beleaguered country.

Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize - her incredible optimism has already changed her country. I spoke to her, and wrote about her, at the beginning of this year:
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

Happy World Mental Health Day - may you be free from stress, stigma or fear.

Mission Critical 04: Building a new relationship between people and the state - Future Governance Forum Mission Critical 04: Building a new relationship between people and the state, proposes a framework for delivering a new relationship between people and the state to enable the delivery of the nationa...

At #Lab25 conference it was clear ministers are committed to investment at local level via the £5bn Pride in Place plan, but its delivery will be critical.

Read a new report by FGF & @localtrust.org.uk which has our recommendations for government 🔽

www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/mis...

Wonderful and thoroughly deserved news! Congratulations @hahrie.bsky.social

A panel event with seven panellists, speaking to a packed out room on the topic of social cohesion

A panel of six panellists, speaking on the future of economics to a packed out room

A queue to attend a UCL Policy Lab event at the Conservative Party Conference 2025

A full room for a panel event on the future of universities at the Conservative Party Conference 2025

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.

Not long left to get your tickets for #Locality25 Convention. Workshops include delivering the government’s ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’; building belonging in times of division; and community ownership across the world.

🎟️Tickets: https://locality.org.uk/events/locality-convention/tickets

The “in time” is doing a lot of work there!

The announcement said it was just for migration control. Is it intended to be for services too?

Join us at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

Firs up on Monday ➡️ Conservative Thinking at the Crossroads: Where Next for the Right?

From hospital to community: International lessons on moving care closer to home The new 10 Year Health Plan for England promises to shift more care from hospitals into the community, but history shows how hard this ambition is to deliver. This new report looks to Denmark and…

The new 10 Year Health Plan for England promises to shift more care from hospitals into the community, but history shows how hard this ambition is to deliver.

Our research explores lessons from Denmark and Ireland, two countries pursuing bold reforms to rebalance care.

Standing with my Jewish neighbours in the rain close to Heaton Park Shul. Antisemitism has been on the rise. When I go to Mass, there’s no security on the door. My kids don’t have drills to prepare for a possible attack. We can’t defeat hate with more hate, only with love, togetherness and action.

Congratulations to Dame Sarah Mullally DBE on her historic appointment as the Archbishop of Canterbury.

As Bishop of London for the past seven years, she has shown remarkable leadership and dedication to our city - I know she’ll continue this vital work in her new role.

Standing up for the places and communities that we love We reflect on lessons from the UCL Policy Lab programme and conversations at Labour Party Conference 2025.

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're really pleased to be a part of an important new initiative: A Nation of Neighbours.

As @pollycurtis.bsky.social and @mds49.bsky.social write, "We need to flip the script. Enable the communities that are already leading to shape the national agenda — not the other way around."

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.

Another stunning morning in Liverpool and more fringe panels ahead …. If you are here come join us to talk about the future of the NHS at 9.15am downstairs in the ACC.

People powered reform: how can we put civil society at the heart of public service reform?

In partnership with @demos-uk.bsky.social. Featuring @georgiagould.bsky.social and @anooshc.bsky.social.