Stian Westlake
@stianwestlake.bsky.social
Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council. Metascience, evidence, data infrastructures, economic growth.
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Today, we’re updating our grant assessment approach to speed up grant decisions, respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI, and ensure we continue to back the best talent and ideas.
Read the full update: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-mo...
Read the full update: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-mo...
UKRI modernises grant assessment for the age of AI
UKRI is updating its grant assessment approach to speed up grant decisions, respond to generative AI and ensure we continue backing the best talent and ideas.
www.ukri.org
September 10, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Today, we’re updating our grant assessment approach to speed up grant decisions, respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI, and ensure we continue to back the best talent and ideas.
Read the full update: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-mo...
Read the full update: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-mo...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
I no longer use X/Twitter, so here I am to support @stianwestlake.bsky.social who has written well on @ukri.org 's strategy
I believe his argument is correct: a science funder must fund both curiosity driven and applied research, and that will demand difficult choices 🧵
x.com/stianwestlak...
I believe his argument is correct: a science funder must fund both curiosity driven and applied research, and that will demand difficult choices 🧵
x.com/stianwestlak...
August 1, 2026 at 7:31 AM
I no longer use X/Twitter, so here I am to support @stianwestlake.bsky.social who has written well on @ukri.org 's strategy
I believe his argument is correct: a science funder must fund both curiosity driven and applied research, and that will demand difficult choices 🧵
x.com/stianwestlak...
I believe his argument is correct: a science funder must fund both curiosity driven and applied research, and that will demand difficult choices 🧵
x.com/stianwestlak...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
@ukri.org have posted on the continuation of @jodrellbank.bsky.social 's site, science and outreach, and this post from @manchester.ac.uk is also helpful
www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display...
www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display...
July 30, 2026 at 6:55 AM
@ukri.org have posted on the continuation of @jodrellbank.bsky.social 's site, science and outreach, and this post from @manchester.ac.uk is also helpful
www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display...
www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Remember that recent paper claiming to show that "ideological bias" determined the results obtained by immigration policy research teams?
A careful, open-code reanalysis by @kauspurg.bsky.social & Josef Brüderl finds that the result arises from a coding error. —> doi.org/10.31222/osf...
A careful, open-code reanalysis by @kauspurg.bsky.social & Josef Brüderl finds that the result arises from a coding error. —> doi.org/10.31222/osf...
June 1, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Remember that recent paper claiming to show that "ideological bias" determined the results obtained by immigration policy research teams?
A careful, open-code reanalysis by @kauspurg.bsky.social & Josef Brüderl finds that the result arises from a coding error. —> doi.org/10.31222/osf...
A careful, open-code reanalysis by @kauspurg.bsky.social & Josef Brüderl finds that the result arises from a coding error. —> doi.org/10.31222/osf...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
The University of Oxford is advertising a Professorship of Economic History, which will be held in the Department of Economics in association with Nuffield College. Closing date 25 May 2026, interviews 26 June. my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru....
'
my.corehr.com
April 30, 2026 at 5:44 PM
The University of Oxford is advertising a Professorship of Economic History, which will be held in the Department of Economics in association with Nuffield College. Closing date 25 May 2026, interviews 26 June. my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru....
Reposted by Stian Westlake
My first post university job in 2004 on the BOE grad scheme paid £24,500. Full time minimum wage was (at 35 hours at a week) £8,190.
BOE grad scheme today pays £33,525. Minimum wage at 35 hours a week: £23,132.
A real terms collapse and a real terms surge.
BOE grad scheme today pays £33,525. Minimum wage at 35 hours a week: £23,132.
A real terms collapse and a real terms surge.
April 12, 2026 at 8:21 AM
My first post university job in 2004 on the BOE grad scheme paid £24,500. Full time minimum wage was (at 35 hours at a week) £8,190.
BOE grad scheme today pays £33,525. Minimum wage at 35 hours a week: £23,132.
A real terms collapse and a real terms surge.
BOE grad scheme today pays £33,525. Minimum wage at 35 hours a week: £23,132.
A real terms collapse and a real terms surge.
A question I am interested in:
1. in what ways has the existence of programmes like Teach First generated a cadre of able innovators and leaders in the education sector (casual empiricism suggests it has!)
2. what if anything can the UK health sector learn from this?
1. in what ways has the existence of programmes like Teach First generated a cadre of able innovators and leaders in the education sector (casual empiricism suggests it has!)
2. what if anything can the UK health sector learn from this?
March 28, 2026 at 10:35 AM
A question I am interested in:
1. in what ways has the existence of programmes like Teach First generated a cadre of able innovators and leaders in the education sector (casual empiricism suggests it has!)
2. what if anything can the UK health sector learn from this?
1. in what ways has the existence of programmes like Teach First generated a cadre of able innovators and leaders in the education sector (casual empiricism suggests it has!)
2. what if anything can the UK health sector learn from this?
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Come and shape the future of the Nuffield Foundation.
A new & key leadership role at the UK’s leading independent funder of social & economic research.
We fund evidence, back innovation & support pioneering practice. Join a great team at an exciting moment.
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
A new & key leadership role at the UK’s leading independent funder of social & economic research.
We fund evidence, back innovation & support pioneering practice. Join a great team at an exciting moment.
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
Advert
roles.saxbam.com
March 21, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Come and shape the future of the Nuffield Foundation.
A new & key leadership role at the UK’s leading independent funder of social & economic research.
We fund evidence, back innovation & support pioneering practice. Join a great team at an exciting moment.
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
A new & key leadership role at the UK’s leading independent funder of social & economic research.
We fund evidence, back innovation & support pioneering practice. Join a great team at an exciting moment.
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
ESRC's Executive Chair @stianwestlake.bsky.social was at Invest Northern Ireland where we held one of our regional engagement events to discuss UKRI's strategy.
He shares highlights from the conversation with stakeholders from across Northern Ireland and his reflections here: youtu.be/XkokOsdQvEA
He shares highlights from the conversation with stakeholders from across Northern Ireland and his reflections here: youtu.be/XkokOsdQvEA
Highlights from UKRI’s Northern Ireland regional engagement event l Stian Westlake
YouTube video by UK Research and Innovation
youtu.be
March 25, 2026 at 3:27 PM
ESRC's Executive Chair @stianwestlake.bsky.social was at Invest Northern Ireland where we held one of our regional engagement events to discuss UKRI's strategy.
He shares highlights from the conversation with stakeholders from across Northern Ireland and his reflections here: youtu.be/XkokOsdQvEA
He shares highlights from the conversation with stakeholders from across Northern Ireland and his reflections here: youtu.be/XkokOsdQvEA
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Innovate UK head foresees ‘golden era’ for research commercialisation
Interviewed by RPN, Tom Adeyoola confident research base can generate “companies of the future” as funder revamps model
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Interviewed by RPN, Tom Adeyoola confident research base can generate “companies of the future” as funder revamps model
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Innovate UK head foresees ‘golden era’ for research commercialisation - Research Professional News
Tom Adeyoola confident research base can generate “companies of the future”, as funder revamps model
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
March 24, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Innovate UK head foresees ‘golden era’ for research commercialisation
Interviewed by RPN, Tom Adeyoola confident research base can generate “companies of the future” as funder revamps model
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Interviewed by RPN, Tom Adeyoola confident research base can generate “companies of the future” as funder revamps model
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Nice piece by Anthony Finkelstein discussing what he describes as the “kerfuffle” over UKRI’s new strategy.
profserious.substack.com/p/a-kerfuffle
profserious.substack.com/p/a-kerfuffle
A Kerfuffle
… UK research funding (and in defence of Sir Ian Chapman)
profserious.substack.com
March 22, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Nice piece by Anthony Finkelstein discussing what he describes as the “kerfuffle” over UKRI’s new strategy.
profserious.substack.com/p/a-kerfuffle
profserious.substack.com/p/a-kerfuffle
Reposted by Stian Westlake
STFC’s Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, was at the University of Bath where we held the next in a series of regional engagement events on UKRI's new strategy.
In this video, she shares key insights from the conversation with stakeholders from across the South West: youtu.be/WSMCONGipjM
In this video, she shares key insights from the conversation with stakeholders from across the South West: youtu.be/WSMCONGipjM
Insights from our South West regional engagement event I Professor Michele Dougherty
YouTube video by UK Research and Innovation
youtu.be
March 20, 2026 at 10:36 AM
STFC’s Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, was at the University of Bath where we held the next in a series of regional engagement events on UKRI's new strategy.
In this video, she shares key insights from the conversation with stakeholders from across the South West: youtu.be/WSMCONGipjM
In this video, she shares key insights from the conversation with stakeholders from across the South West: youtu.be/WSMCONGipjM
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Every couple of months or so, someone puts out a piece of bad social science meant to undermine the case for more housing. For Roosevelt Institute, I wrote a blog post responding to the two most recent specimens. rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/there-i...
There Is No Housing Affordability Without Building More Housing
If we make it easier to build dense housing in cities, then the resulting supply boost will ease the cost burden on renters and put homeownership within closer reach for millions of households.
rooseveltinstitute.org
March 5, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Every couple of months or so, someone puts out a piece of bad social science meant to undermine the case for more housing. For Roosevelt Institute, I wrote a blog post responding to the two most recent specimens. rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/there-i...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Fascinating paper! Scholars who are secular are more likely to believe in secularization & find evidence of it in their research. The opposite pattern is true for scholars who are religious.
This is worth your time to read in full:
sociologicalscience.com/download/vol...
This is worth your time to read in full:
sociologicalscience.com/download/vol...
February 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Fascinating paper! Scholars who are secular are more likely to believe in secularization & find evidence of it in their research. The opposite pattern is true for scholars who are religious.
This is worth your time to read in full:
sociologicalscience.com/download/vol...
This is worth your time to read in full:
sociologicalscience.com/download/vol...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
DSIT is looking for ideas about what public data to focus on making available (to business) within the National Data Library.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Opportunities for public sector data survey 2026: questions
www.gov.uk
February 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM
DSIT is looking for ideas about what public data to focus on making available (to business) within the National Data Library.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and colleague Prof Sir David Metcalf. Together with Richard Layard and Stephen Nickell, David set up the Centre for Labour Economics which became CEP in 1990. Read more:
https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/news/abstract.asp?index=11063
https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/news/abstract.asp?index=11063
February 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and colleague Prof Sir David Metcalf. Together with Richard Layard and Stephen Nickell, David set up the Centre for Labour Economics which became CEP in 1990. Read more:
https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/news/abstract.asp?index=11063
https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/news/abstract.asp?index=11063
There’s been some concern and speculation in recent days about the future of curiosity-driven and applied research in the UK.
This letter from UKRI CEO Ian Chapman provides some helpful context on what’s really going on. I hope you find it useful.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
This letter from UKRI CEO Ian Chapman provides some helpful context on what’s really going on. I hope you find it useful.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 4:52 PM
There’s been some concern and speculation in recent days about the future of curiosity-driven and applied research in the UK.
This letter from UKRI CEO Ian Chapman provides some helpful context on what’s really going on. I hope you find it useful.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
This letter from UKRI CEO Ian Chapman provides some helpful context on what’s really going on. I hope you find it useful.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
New Metascience funding opportunity!
We're holding an interactive "sandpit" to develop research projects that develop, validate, and critique novel scientometric indicators for research assessment and future metascience research. £3m funding available.
Apply here: www.ukri.org/opportunity/...
We're holding an interactive "sandpit" to develop research projects that develop, validate, and critique novel scientometric indicators for research assessment and future metascience research. £3m funding available.
Apply here: www.ukri.org/opportunity/...
Metascience sandpit: scientometrics for research assessment
Apply to attend a four-day interactive sandpit to co-develop research projects that develop, validate, and critique novel scientometric indicators for use in research assessment and in future metascie...
www.ukri.org
January 20, 2026 at 3:31 PM
New Metascience funding opportunity!
We're holding an interactive "sandpit" to develop research projects that develop, validate, and critique novel scientometric indicators for research assessment and future metascience research. £3m funding available.
Apply here: www.ukri.org/opportunity/...
We're holding an interactive "sandpit" to develop research projects that develop, validate, and critique novel scientometric indicators for research assessment and future metascience research. £3m funding available.
Apply here: www.ukri.org/opportunity/...
A little highlight of the new year for me is @igmansfield.bsky.social's forecasting contest. You can enter here, until 18 January!
www.edrith.co.uk/p/2026-forec...
www.edrith.co.uk/p/2026-forec...
2026 Forecasting Contest
A forecasting contest for 2026, featuring UK politics and global events.
www.edrith.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:56 AM
A little highlight of the new year for me is @igmansfield.bsky.social's forecasting contest. You can enter here, until 18 January!
www.edrith.co.uk/p/2026-forec...
www.edrith.co.uk/p/2026-forec...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Big new blogpost!
My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more.
--> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more.
--> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
December 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Big new blogpost!
My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more.
--> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more.
--> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
I keep coming back to this fascinating post by an Australian research, Chris Berg, about the role of think-tanks in the social science ecosystem.
chrisbergaus.substack.com/p/think-tank...
chrisbergaus.substack.com/p/think-tank...
Think tanks are idea creators, not mere translators
I started my career in the think tank world. I was often asked a very basic question: what do think tanks actually do?
chrisbergaus.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:37 AM
I keep coming back to this fascinating post by an Australian research, Chris Berg, about the role of think-tanks in the social science ecosystem.
chrisbergaus.substack.com/p/think-tank...
chrisbergaus.substack.com/p/think-tank...
Wonderful to see Philippe Aghion of the @cep-lse.bsky.social recognised, alongside Peter Howitt and Joel Mokyr, in this year’s Nobel Prize for Economics. Three unusually deserving winners!
October 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Wonderful to see Philippe Aghion of the @cep-lse.bsky.social recognised, alongside Peter Howitt and Joel Mokyr, in this year’s Nobel Prize for Economics. Three unusually deserving winners!
Excited to launch ESRC's major investment in METIUS, led by @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social, with a host of global partners.
METIUS will harness AI to provide timely, reliable evidence synthesis on major societal challenges to policymakers across the globe.
www.ukri.org/news/ai-inve...
METIUS will harness AI to provide timely, reliable evidence synthesis on major societal challenges to policymakers across the globe.
www.ukri.org/news/ai-inve...
AI investment to transform global policy with scientific evidence
An £11.5 million AI-driven evidence synthesis project will turbocharge policymakers’ ability to quickly understand scientific evidence on important issues.
www.ukri.org
September 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Excited to launch ESRC's major investment in METIUS, led by @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social, with a host of global partners.
METIUS will harness AI to provide timely, reliable evidence synthesis on major societal challenges to policymakers across the globe.
www.ukri.org/news/ai-inve...
METIUS will harness AI to provide timely, reliable evidence synthesis on major societal challenges to policymakers across the globe.
www.ukri.org/news/ai-inve...
Reposted by Stian Westlake
We are pleased to announce the appointment of three new governors.
Karen Reid, Kim Graham and @stianwestlake.bsky.social bring experience spanning public service, academia, and policy innovation, reinforcing our commitment to building a healthier UK.
Read more⬇️
https://bit.ly/3Ie9Mhg
Karen Reid, Kim Graham and @stianwestlake.bsky.social bring experience spanning public service, academia, and policy innovation, reinforcing our commitment to building a healthier UK.
Read more⬇️
https://bit.ly/3Ie9Mhg
September 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
We are pleased to announce the appointment of three new governors.
Karen Reid, Kim Graham and @stianwestlake.bsky.social bring experience spanning public service, academia, and policy innovation, reinforcing our commitment to building a healthier UK.
Read more⬇️
https://bit.ly/3Ie9Mhg
Karen Reid, Kim Graham and @stianwestlake.bsky.social bring experience spanning public service, academia, and policy innovation, reinforcing our commitment to building a healthier UK.
Read more⬇️
https://bit.ly/3Ie9Mhg
Reposted by Stian Westlake
Designers!
We're looking to hire a graphic designer and typesetter based in London to oversee and do the production of our upcoming print edition at Works in Progress magazine.
If you like this work below, you might be the person for us!
More detail: www.worksinprogress.news/p/were-hirin...
We're looking to hire a graphic designer and typesetter based in London to oversee and do the production of our upcoming print edition at Works in Progress magazine.
If you like this work below, you might be the person for us!
More detail: www.worksinprogress.news/p/were-hirin...
September 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Designers!
We're looking to hire a graphic designer and typesetter based in London to oversee and do the production of our upcoming print edition at Works in Progress magazine.
If you like this work below, you might be the person for us!
More detail: www.worksinprogress.news/p/were-hirin...
We're looking to hire a graphic designer and typesetter based in London to oversee and do the production of our upcoming print edition at Works in Progress magazine.
If you like this work below, you might be the person for us!
More detail: www.worksinprogress.news/p/were-hirin...