📢 New research identifies five fundamental problems with the UK's public spending system: short-term budgeting, fragmented governance, blurred accountability, weak incentives for long-term investment, and a gap between evidence and political decision-making. Read the report: bit.ly/4g9xgSB

We're delighted to welcome Elise Antoine as an Assistant Professor to the Bennett School where she'll teach on our MPhil in Public Policy. Elise's research examines how politics shape the governance of new technologies, & how those technologies reshape policy processes.

The UK's public spending system is no longer fit for the challenges of the 21st century New research shows the UK's public spending system remains focused on short-term control, compliance & annual budgeting, despite the complex realities of modern governance & public service delivery bit.ly/4xbMAny

New research by top economists reveals the UK's spending system is no longer fit for the way public services are delivered today. Fundamental reform is needed to create a spending system that supports long-term investment, better public services and stronger outcomes. Report: bit.ly/4pMQ7WM

Is space trade the next global transport revolution? 🚀 New research led by @terzibus.bsky.social shows that the cost of reaching orbit is falling faster than steamship freight did in the 19th century. Here is why space is the new frontier for economists. 👇 1/6

We are on the cusp of Andy Burnham being appointed as the seventh UK Prime Minister since the 2016 Brexit vote. As the national conversation turns toward his upcoming policy agenda, the team at the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk is highlighting key insights from our ongoing work. 🧵 1/7

Last night, we welcomed Dame Fiona Reynolds for the final Reynolds Lecture, challenging us to place nature, people & place at the heart of governance. She reflected on how 'beauty' is fundamental to human wellbeing, good public policy, & a sustainable future. View the photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCYKPm

How can governments make better decisions in an increasingly uncertain world? In a new blog, Geoff White argues that decades of centralisation have limited the UK's ability to learn & adapt. Could "devolution plus"—championed by Andy Burnham— create a more resilient state? shorturl.at/fNwBL

🎙️ New Crossing Channels podcast: What's behind the rise of populism? Richard Westcott chats with @d-luca.bsky.social (@cam.ac.uk) & Laurenz Guenther (@tse-fr.eu) about how place, inequality, and everyday lived experiences shape political attitudes. 🎧 Listen: shorturl.at/77gHX

Beyond the AI arms race: the cooperation we’re missing In a new anthology of essays offering an alternative narrative to the AI arms race, @alturobov.bsky.social explores why cooperation—not just competition—is shaping the future of global AI governance. www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/beyond-...

A fine example of the Bennett School's @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social advising government and making an impact. ⬇️

Hetan Shah@hetanshah.bsky.social · last mo.

Good analysis from @richardaljones.bsky.social on @andyburnham.bsky.social’s economic and innovation policy agenda including this lovely reference to @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social softmachines.org?p=3324

In our new AIxGEO essay anthology on Reimagining the Arms Race, @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social writes: "Treating AI as an Arms Race frames the technology as a zero-sum geopolitical contest rather than recognising its potential as a broad-based driver of economic growth." Read essay: shorturl.at/hMo55

Join us for the last in the Annual Reynolds Lecture Series as Fiona Reynolds presents on "Nature, people and place: the mess we’re in and a possible pathway out". 📅 Wednesday 7 July 2026 🕠 17:30–18:45 followed by drinks 📍 Emmanuel College, Cambridge CB2 3AP 🎟️ Register: shorturl.at/d1aoo

Framing AI as a US–China arms race isn't just wrong—it's dangerous. Our new anthology, Reimagining the AI Arms Race, features 10 essays by policymakers, academics & public intellectuals, incl. @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social & @alturobov.bsky.social exploring alternative ways. 👉https://shorturl.at/GR6yO

In a recent article for @thetimes.com, columnist Emma Duncan reports that Andy Burnham's team is developing proposals to devolve power from Whitehall, building on ideas he outlined at the Bennett School of Public Policy's Annual Conference in March 2026. 🧵1/3

The Bennett School has launched a new Advisory Board to help steer its research & teaching programmes. Bringing together experts from academia, businesses & government from across the World, the new Advisory Board will inform the growth and direction of the School. Full story: shorturl.at/xDcTJ

Today, we publish a new anthology of essays on 'Reimagining the AI Arms Race'. Contributing thought leaders challenge the idea that AI is a race between superpowers, examine what this narrative obscures, and asks whether there's another way of working - such as collaboration. Read: shorturl.at/3P75t

Reimagining the AI Arms Race - Bennett School of Public Policy

This essay anthology brings together visionary thinkers, policymakers, and experts to challenge the narrative of AI as a zero-sum competition.

bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

Blog: The Mayor of London at 25 Affiliated Researcher Mark Bennister et al. make the case in @projectsyndicate.bsky.social that the Mayor of London has been broadly successful over its 25-year existence, combining strong electoral legitimacy with relatively limited formal powers. shorturl.at/JzbXT

London Calling? The Mayor of London at 25

As the London mayoralty passes its twenty-five-year anniversary, has it been a success?

shorturl.at

New research by @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social, Jun Du & Xiaocan Yuan highlights how Manchester’s strong productivity growth has been fuelled by attracting high-value foreign investment & channelling it into knowledge-intensive sectors such as digital, R&D & professional services. shorturl.at/rT3SM

Join us for this year’s Reynolds Lecture: “Nature, people and place: the mess we’re in and a possible pathway out” with Dame Fiona Reynolds. 📅 8 July 2026 🕠 17:30–18:30 & reception 📍 Emmanuel College, Cambridge 🎟️ Register: shorturl.at/x865O Hosted with @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk and Emmanuel College

Following Andy Burnham's appearance at the Bennett School's Annual Conference, @drbethkitson.bsky.social & @ojgarling.bsky.social analyse how his record in Greater Manchester offers a potential blueprint for governing the UK. Read the blog: youtu.be/f8pVBUAp89M?...

We're pleased to welcome Prof Oliver Hauser from the University of Exeter to our senior leadership team, joining @michaelkenny.bsky.social & @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social Oliver's expertise focuses on how emerging technologies can support growth, public value and accountability. shorturl.at/W0oQT

New appointments drive expansion of public policy teaching and research at the Cambridge Bennett School - Bennett School of Public Policy

Oliver Hauser joins the University of Cambridge’s Bennett School as Professor of Public Policy, as it expands academic capacity across new and existing public policy programmes, strengthening teaching...

bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

It’s Men’s Health Week. Dr Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros explores how walking groups, workshops & peer networks help men connect. He asks where these supports exist, where the gaps are, & how policy can strengthen them without losing the trust that makes them work. Read more: shorturl.at/QCV5n

From crisis management to place building: reimagining local government New blog by Helen Paterson, CEO of Northumberland County Council, says it's easy for the national conversation to focus solely on crisis management but councils are much more than providers of statutory services shorturl.at/Yi9mb

Join us for this year's Reynolds Lecture - "Nature, people and place: the mess we're in and a possible pathway out" - delivered by Dame Fiona Reynolds. 📅 Wednesday 8 July 2026 🕠 17:30 - 18:30 📍 Emmanuel College, St Andrew's St, Cambridge CB2 3AP 🎟️ Free – booking required: shorturl.at/8h7pE

What can a by-election really tell us? In a new piece for The Constitution Society, Mark Bennister, Bennett School Affiliated Researcher, explores the unusually high-stakes of the Makerfield by-election & why it has attracted such intense national attention. consoc.org.uk/markerfield-...

The High-Stakes and Rather Unusual Makerfield By-Election - The Constitution Society

Mark Bennister looks at the Makerfield by-election and considers the significance of this and previous by-elections.

consoc.org.uk

As councils face rising demand and financial pressure, their unique democratic legitimacy, local reach, & power to shape places can be overlooked. Dr Helen Paterson, Chief Exec at Northumberland County Council, shares what collective action can achieve. www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/time-to...

In today’s @lavanguardia.com newspaper, Bennett School researcher, @terzibus.bsky.social, warns that SpaceX’s dominance of space infrastructure is creating government dependence—and may soon be too entrenched to regulate easily. Read the article: www.lavanguardia.com/economia/202...

Un estudio de Cambridge advierte que el monopolio de SpaceX erosiona la soberanía de los estados

La firma de Elon Musk es responsable del lanzamiento de casi el 80% de toda la carga útil que la humanidad ha enviado al espacio

lavanguardia.com

Join Kate Sargent, Chief Data Officer for the @financialtimes.com, as she reflects on her career leading data transformation across some of the UK's most recognised brands. 📅 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 🕞 15:30 – 16:30 📍 The Glasshouse, Innovate Cambridge, CB2 1LQ 🎟️ Register: www.c2d3.cam.ac.uk/events/caree...

New blog, by Christina Beatty, @cwarnock.bsky.social, Peter Tyler, & Geoff White, says addressing spatially concentrated economic inactivity is an economic necessity. Govt should combine demand & supply-side measures to increase job opportunities in designated Inclusive Growth Areas. bit.ly/4xdBnnf