The blog post is based on an article by Ricardo Velázquez Leyer, Viviana Ramírez, Gibrán Cruz-Martínez, and Theodoros Papadopoulos, published in the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy (Open Access). doi.org/10.1017/ics....

New on the Social Policy Blog: "Insights on Social Policy Implementation from Latin America and Southern Europe" by Ricardo Velázquez Leyer, Viviana Ramírez, Gibrán Cruz-Martínez, and Theodoros Papadopoulos. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/03/10/i...

Social Policy Implementation in Latin America and Southern Europe

What shapes social policy implementation in Latin America and Southern Europe? Research explores state capacity, clientelism and street-level bureaucracy.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

New on the Social Policy Blog: "When hurting migrants became bad for everyone’s health – what the pandemic revealed about Europe’s policy priorities and the need for a healthier future" by Michael Strange et al. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/01/13/w...

Why Covid Policies Failed Migrants — and What Europe Must Fix Next

Study shows Covid policies sidelined migrants in the UK, France and Sweden, harming public health and exposing policy failures — and how Europe can respond.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by Michael Strange, Louise Dalingwater, Slobodan Zdravkovic, and Elisabeth Mangrio, published in Social Policy and Society. doi.org/10.1017/S147...

New on the Social Policy Blog: "Addressing the Crisis: The EU Youth Employment Initiative Supported Opportunities for Young People in European Regions" by Rosario Scandurra and Ruggero Cefalo. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/01/08/a...

EU Youth Employment Initiative boosted jobs and cut NEET rates

Study shows the EU Youth Employment Initiative reduced NEETs and joblessness, raised youth employment and supported disadvantaged regions most.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by Rosario Scandurra and Ruggero Cefalo, published in the Journal of Social Policy. doi.org/10.1017/S004...

New on the Social Policy Blog: "Amsterdam and the New Frontiers of Welfare State Change: How Cities are Shaping the Social Investment State” by David Bokhorst, Meike Bokhorst, and Tijn Croon. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2025/12/18/a...

How Cities Like Amsterdam Are Reshaping Welfare State Reform

How large cities like Amsterdam drive social investment, innovate welfare policy, and shape national debates through local experimentation.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by David Bokhorst, Meike Bokhorst, and Tijn Croon, published in the Journal of Social Policy. doi.org/10.1017/S004...

The blog post is based on an article by Ester de Oliveira, Rui Branco and Fátima Suleman, published in Social Policy and Society. doi.org/10.1017/S147...

The blog post is based on an article by Wei-Ting Yen and Ming-Jui Yeh, published in the Journal of Social Policy. doi.org/10.1017/S004...

New on the Social Policy Blog: "Why territory matters for solidarity: evidence from Taiwan’s pension reform" by Wei-Ting Yen and Ming-Jui Yeh. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/01/20/w...

Why Territory Matters for Solidarity in Taiwan’s Pension Reform

New research shows how territorial state identity shapes welfare solidarity, using Taiwan’s pension reform to explain why borders matter for welfare policy.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

New on the Social Policy Blog: “Maternity Leave as ‘Right’ or ‘Risk’? How Employers Justify Support or Resistance” by Helen Kowalewska. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/01/22/m...

Maternity Leave as Risk or Right? How Employers Really Respond

Despite legal rights, maternity leave remains uneven in practice. This post explores how employers justify support, resistance and discrimination.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by Helen Kowalewska, published in Social Policy and Society. doi.org/10.1017/S147...

New on the Social Policy Blog: “What can we learn from pension reforms in Latin America and Southern Europe?” by Marina Angelaki and Leandro Nicolas Carrera. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/01/29/w...

What drives successful pension reform? Lessons from two regions

A cross-regional analysis of pension reforms shows how institutions, legacies and negotiation shape feasible and lasting reform in ageing societies.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by Marina Angelaki and Leandro Nicolas Carrera, published in the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy. doi.org/10.1017/ics....

The blog post is based on an article by Renate Bosman, Hanneke van Heijster, Irmgard Borghouts, and Charissa Freese, published in Social Policy and Society. doi.org/10.1017/S147...

The blog post is based on an article by Siena Caridi-Ross and Zahid Mumtaz, published in the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy (Open Access). doi.org/10.1017/ics....

New on the Social Policy Blog: "Iraq’s Hybrid Welfare Regime: Understanding a Fragmented System of Social Protection" by Siena Caridi-Ross and Zahid Mumtaz. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/02/10/i...

Iraq’s hybrid welfare regime and the limits of social protection

This post explores Iraq’s fragmented welfare system, where state provision, informal support and insecurity coexist, and why this matters for policy reform.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by Marion Ouma and Jimi O. Adesina, published in the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy (Open Access). doi.org/10.1017/ics....

New on the Social Policy Blog: "What Happens When the Bottom of the Pyramid Meets Social Assistance?" by Marion Ouma and Jimi Adesina. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/02/12/w...

When Bottom of the Pyramid Models Reshape Social Assistance

How Bottom of the Pyramid models and financial inclusion reshape cash transfers in Kenya, revealing the financialisation of social assistance.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on an article by Pedro Romero-Balsas, Gerardo Meil, and Jesús Rogero-García, published in Social Policy and Society. doi.org/10.1017/S147...

New on the Social Policy Blog: "The Use of Paternity Leave by Migrants in Spain" by Matej Kojic. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/02/20/t...

Migrant Fathers and Paternity Leave in Spain

Evidence from Spain reveals gaps in paternity leave use among migrant fathers, pointing to labour market barriers and policy challenges.

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

The blog post is based on Adam Gendźwiłł, Jan Kroszka, Julita Łukomska, and Michał Pierzgalski's article published in the Journal of Social Policy. doi.org/10.1017/S004...

The blog post is based on Martin Gurín and Janet C. Gornick's article published in the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy. doi.org/10.1017/ics....

New on the Social Policy Blog: "The high-stakes gamble of father leave: Why political courage still falters" by Martin Gurín and Janet C. Gornick. socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2025/12/09/t...

Why Father Leave Reforms Stall: Insights from Korea and Czechia

Why do father leave reforms advance in some countries but stall in others? This post explores the politics behind diverging paths in Korea and Czechia

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

We’re now live on Bluesky! And we're back online and preparing for a full re-launch next week! We’re the companion blog to the SPA's journals — Journal of Social Policy, Social Policy & Society, and Journal of International & Comparative Social Policy. Follow us here and at socialpolicyblog.co.uk

Social Policy Blog

Companion Blog to the Journal of Social Policy, Social Policy & Society, and the Journal of International & Comparative Social Policy

socialpolicyblog.co.uk

15-minute recharge = snacks + coffee + a second helping of social policy 🧁🍊☕ Next sessions are about to begin — pick a room, grab your notes, and dive back in! Whether it’s care, education, health, or youth, there’s something thoughtful waiting for you 🔍 #York2025 @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social

I’m in the Health session now — maps, funding, and big questions about health 🧠📊 Wherever you are at #York2025, I hope you’re enjoying your session too! Let’s keep sharing ideas, curiosity, and maybe coffee later ☕ @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social

Jonathan Bradshaw at the symposium on his legacy in Social Policy in the 21st century #York2025 @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social

Day 1 at #York2025 is wrapping up with blue skies and fluffy clouds 💙☁️ The presentations were brilliant, the clouds are extra fluffy, and the evening’s just beginning — drinks and dinner coming up! Hope everyone had a good day of learning, sharing, and sunshine 🌿 @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social