Policy Leeds

Policy Leeds: Signpost, December 2025 White paper calls for action on UK robotics, refreshed Leeds City Council Areas of Research Interest published, Child of The North…

In our latest Signpost, we feature a major white paper calling for action on UK robotics, the final campaign report from Child of the North, and new details on the refreshed Areas of Research Interest from Leeds City Council.

➡️ medium.com/policy-leeds...

➡️ Read the report in full: extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_Arts-Creativity_Report_Update.pdf

@childofthenorth.bsky.social th.bsky.social I @cfyounglives.bsky.social I @universityofleeds.bsky.social

The final report update in the Child of the North’s #ChildrenFirst campaign has been published.

It highlights the impact that arts and creativity can have on creating opportunities for young people, and how they have benefits beyond education.

Safer Parks: Fostering a Community of Active Bystanders for the UK’s Green Spaces includes evaluation of bystander intervention training, showing 94% of attendees felt confident or empowered to act as bystanders.

Read the full report: tinyurl.com/4b8xs7ns

A new report by researchers at @universityofleeds.bsky.social outlines recommendations to make UK parks safer for women and girls.

The report is part of The Safer Parks Bystander Project, led by the University of Leeds with Keep Britain Tidy and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

Research and evidence for the Leeds Ambitions: new Leeds City Council Areas of Research Interest The refreshed Leeds City Council Areas of Research Interest for 2025–2026 align with the city’s new shared vision, the Leeds Ambitions

In their new blog, Dr Abi Rowson (Horizons Institute, University of Leeds) and Mike Eakins (Head of Policy, Leeds City Council) introduce the newly-refreshed Leeds City Council Areas of Research Interest for 2025/6, which align with the Leeds Ambitions.

👉 Find out more tinyurl.com/y5s34cdp

The report is part of the #ChildrenFirst campaign and also highlights black children are disproportionately represented across the youth justice system.

It calls for a 'whole system' approach to address the underlying causes of youth crime.

Read the report: www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_C...

🔴 The latest Child of the North report reveals the number of children in the youth justice system and the reoffending rates have increased simultaneously for the first time in a decade.

It warns that the criminal justice system continues to fail vulnerable children.

We’re excited to introduce our six new policy research projects at the University of Leeds.

Each of the projects started on October 1 and will run until July 2026 as they address some of today’s most pressing policy challenges.

➡️ Visit our website to learn more: www.leeds.ac.uk/policy-leeds...

Visit Make More Robots to learn more: www.makemorerobots.uk

You can also access the full version of the white paper here: eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/23...

@universityofleeds.bsky.social

Why doesn’t the UK make more Robots?

A new white paper written by leading academics at the University of Leeds urges the Government to accelerate action on UK robots to unlock a potential £150bn boost to UK GDP by 2035.

It outlines a number of recommendations for making more robots in the UK.

Data also shows teacher surveys reveal 49% believe the issue is worsening, with growing concerns over toilet training, social interactions and screen time among preschool children.

Read the report: drive.google.com/file/d/16zMs...

📈 New data from the Child of the North reveals that one in three children are not ‘school ready’ — with almost a 10% gap between advantaged and disadvantaged regions.

The report is the 9th to be released as part of the Child of the North’s #ChildrenFirst campaign.

Demonstration and a child on someone's shoulders holding up a card with scribbles on. Text says Leeds Institute for Societal Futures.

LSSI has evolved into Leeds Institute for Societal Futures!

At the end of this year, the LSSI website will go offline. Please bookmark our new home: societal.leeds.ac.uk for updates on research, education, and impact.

@universityofleeds.bsky.social #Leeds #SocietalFutures #society

In their latest webinar, @chorusurban.bsky.social is bringing together researchers, stakeholders and policymakers to respond to the rising crisis in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

📅 Thu, 13 Nov
⏲️ 10am-11am
💻 Online

Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/17dbc8...

The latest update is the seventh to be released as part of the Child of the North’s #ChildrenFirst campaign.

Read the report: www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_O...

@n8research.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social

More than a quarter of five-year-olds in England have tooth decay, according to a report from the Child of The North.

It reveals that children living in the North of England continue to have poorer oral health, with tooth decay remaining the most common oral disease in children and young people.

🌍 Today marks the first day of #COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

A delegation from the @universityofleeds.bsky.social will host and contribute to a range of events at the global climate conference, playing an active role in key discussions.

Find out more ➡️ climate.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-at-cop...

Delivering the Best Start in Life strategy: Planning and data for local context The government's Early Years strategy for England 'Giving every child the best start in life' outlines Local Authority funding to ensure children are ready to start school. This policy brief sets out ...

Our latest policy brief sets out guidance for local authorities to develop their data use to enable targeted investments as part of the government's Early Years strategy for England: ‘Giving every child the best start in life’

Read the full brief ➡️ www.leeds.ac.uk/policy-leeds...

In an insightful and direct article, decision-making expert Sajid Siraj pinpoints the ever-present motives of nations that may hinder climate action at #COP30

Get the full story ➡️ climate.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-at-cop...

COP30 is only a few days away, so stay tuned into our channels for daily updates.

The report highlights teacher surveys showing 49% believe the preschool crisis is worsening, with concerns over toilet training, social interactions, and screen time.

Read the full report: www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_P...

@cfyounglives.bsky.social @n8research.bsky.social

An updated Child of the North report, building upon 2024 evidence, highlights a deepening preschool crisis.

The report is part of the #ChildrenFirst campaign which includes the launch of practitioner toolkits to improve outcomes for children.

Policy Leeds: Signpost, November 2025 Leeds delegation prepares for COP30, report warns of ‘national emergency’ over SEND crisis, air quality expert gives evidence at Covid-19…

Our latest Signpost is now live. Catch-up on the latest policy-focused research happening across the University of Leeds as we explore #COP30, the latest briefings from the Child of the North #childrenfirst campaign, plus policy relevant news, events and more.

➡️ medium.com/policy-leeds...

A Global South reading of COP30 COP30 in Belém, Brazil is one week away. But what does the conference mean for the Global South? Professor Simon Manda explores how the…

Ahead of #COP30 starting in Belém, Brazil next week, Simon Manda (Professor of Politics of Global Development, University of Leeds), asks what the global climate conference means for the Global South.

Read more ➡️ medium.com/policy-leeds...

Join the launch of L-earning: rethinking young women's working lives project's final report to hear how women's early experiences of work shape future inequalities.

12 December, 4pm-7pm, University House, London.

www.eventbrite.com/e/report-lau...

@katerhardy.bsky.social @sspatleeds.bsky.social

Responding to domestic abuse: lessons from Greater Manchester and Victoria This webinar shares findings from the ‘Policing, Vulnerabilities and Domestic Abuse: Victims, Perpetrators, Interventions’ research project.

Sign up to the @vp-centre.bsky.social webinar on Responding to domestic abuse: lessons from Manchester and State of Victoria. 9 December, 12 - 1pm.

Speakers: Sandra Walklate @liverpooluni.bsky.social, Larissa Engelmann & David Rowlands @lawatleeds.bsky.social

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/responding...

Children and Young People (Module 8) - Public Hearings - UK Covid-19 Inquiry The independent public inquiry to examine the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK

Professor @cathnoakes.bsky.social gave evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry on transmission in schools and the importance of ventilation to control both infections and air pollution exposure.

Read transcript and witness statement on the Covid Inquiry website:
covid19.public-inquiry.uk/hearings/chi...

'National emergency' over worsening SEND crisis The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, already known to be in deep trouble, now faces ‘a worsening crisis’ which, say experts, puts the UK on the brink of a national emergency.

A new Child of the North report finds that the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is facing a worsening crisis that is putting the UK on the brink of national emergency.

www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

@n8research.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social glives.bsky.social

Who controls the air we breathe at home? Awaab’s law and the limits of individual actions The ability to improve air quality in your home depends less on personal behaviour and more on who owns the building.

As Awaab's law takes effect, @douglasbooker.bsky.social and colleague at the Universities of York and Cardiff draw on their recent research to highlight the difficulties that private renters also face in improving indoor #airquality.

theconversation.com/who-controls...

To mark #UrbanOctober & #WorldCitiesDay, join us for a virtual panel event with policymakers on strengthening #urbanhealth systems through provider partnerships and collaborations - & how we can move from fragmentation to harmonisation.

Register here: tinyurl.com/3tdsk83m

@herdintl.bsky.social