Our March Signpost is now LIVE.
In this edition we explore:
-How community voices can shape urban planning
-New areas of research informing West Yorks policy
-YPERN success bridging gap between academia and local govt.
medium.com/policy-leeds...
🔴 We are taking a short break from BlueSky.
You can still find us on #LinkedIn for all the latest policy news and research impact happening across the @universityofleeds.bsky.social
Stay connected with us here: linkedin.com/company/policy-leeds?originalSubdomain=uk
It is being supported by the Research England Policy Support Fund through the @universityofleeds.bsky.social
Find out more: yorkshireuniversities.ac.uk/2026/02/10/n...
New Areas of Research Interest (ARI) are being developed for West Yorkshire to bridge the gap between regional data, academic expertise and policy — delivering real benefits for the region.
The project is a collaborative effort between the @westyorkshireca.bsky.social and Yorkshire Universities.
Have you listened yet? 🎧
'Gerrin' on wi' it' is the new podcast from @y-pern.bsky.social @ypip.bsky.social and @universityofleeds.bsky.social business school, exploring how collaborative partnerships are driving change across Yorkshire & the Humber.
Listen here: ypip.org.uk/gerrin-on-wi...
🔴 Our February Signpost is live
In this month's issue we explore how Yorkshire partners are supporting the Government's Safer Streets mission in Yorkshire, plus all the latest policy news, blogs and events happening across @universityofleeds.bsky.social
➡️ medium.com/policy-leeds...
A new blog from INFUZE highlights why changing minds is not enough for creating sustainable travel behaviour.
Drawing on newly published research, it urges policymakers to introduce policies that directly change behaviour.
➡️ in-fuze.org.uk/the-attitude...
Child on adult's shoulders at a demonstration - holding up a cardboard with scribbles on
Help shape the next phase of Leeds Institute for Societal Futures. Want to collaborate in our development sandpits & workshops? #EthicalAI #HealthInequalities #Migration #Polarisation #AIEthics & more – whether you're internal or external to University of Leeds, let us know!
EOI form: bit.ly/4bj9iCB
🔴 Are we failing our children?
Executive member of the Born in Bradford programme, Mark Mon-Williams discusses inequalities faced by young people in disadvantaged communities – and how research is helping policymakers address these critical issues.
spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-magazi...
➡️ Faculty of Social Sciences Inaugural Lecture Series 25/6: The Detective Work of Evaluation
Join Ana Manzano as she reflects on her academic journey as a methodologist and an expert in theory-driven evaluation.
🗓️ 4 Feb 2026 | 4pm 📍 Liberty Building, Leeds 🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/fssev...
The Child and Adolescent Health Impacts of Learning Indoor Environments (CHILI) hub is hosting its first webinar to celebrate World Education Day.
📆 January 23
🕐 1pm-2.30pm
Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chili-hub-...
Following the launch of the BBC Charter Review, a University of Leeds researcher argues that values of universality, diversity and independence must be kept at the heart of any reforms.
Read more ➡️ www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/...
@universityofleeds.bsky.social
In their new policy blog, Erin Dysart and Louise Tracey from the School of Education reflect on a list of evidence-based parenting and home learning interventions issued to Local Authorities as part of a government strategy designed to improve child development.
➡️ tinyurl.com/y4b3yedj
Congratulations to Suraje Dessai who has been appointed to the European Scientific Advisory Board and Climate Change.
He will be responsible for providing the European Union with scientific knowledge, expertise and advice relating to climate change.
➡️ climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/suraje-...
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/www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_Arts-Creativi...
@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.
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