Policy Factory
@policyfactory.bsky.social
A network of historians, sociologists and researchers interested in using History to inform future policy direction.
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Policy Factory – Lessons From the Past for Policy Futures
Policy Factory is a network of historians and social scientists looking to bring a historical perspective to current policy dilemmas and future policy direction.
policyfactory.org
Policy Factory is now up and running!
Check out our fancy new website: policyfactory.org
And be sure to subscribe to our Substack if you want posts arriving straight to your inbox: policyfactory.substack.com
Check out our fancy new website: policyfactory.org
And be sure to subscribe to our Substack if you want posts arriving straight to your inbox: policyfactory.substack.com
Reposted by Policy Factory
ICYMI yesterday, here's Part Two of my podcast with the @policyfactory.bsky.social... This time: what can Keir Starmer learn from past Labour policies on the economy, healthcare, crime and education? Vital stuff, and I hope it's interesting: policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
What can Keir Starmer’s Labour learn from New Labour? Part Two
In the concluding episode of this two-part series, Steven King and Glen O’Hara discuss what lessons Keir Starmer might learn from the last time Labour was in government.
policyfactory.org
July 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
ICYMI yesterday, here's Part Two of my podcast with the @policyfactory.bsky.social... This time: what can Keir Starmer learn from past Labour policies on the economy, healthcare, crime and education? Vital stuff, and I hope it's interesting: policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
Harold Wilson did say a week's a long time in politics...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
What can Keir Starmer’s Labour learn from New Labour? Part Two
In the concluding episode of this two-part series, Steven King and Glen O’Hara discuss what lessons Keir Starmer might learn from the last time Labour was in government.
policyfactory.org
July 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Harold Wilson did say a week's a long time in politics...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
As the welfare vote tonight threatens to divide the Labour Party, Steve King and Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) discuss what lessons Keir Starmer could learn from Tony Blair and New Labour in our latest Policy Factory Podcast episode. policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
What can Keir Starmer's Labour learn from New Labour?
Steven King and Glen O'Hara discuss what lessons Keir Starmer might learn from the last time Labour was in government.
policyfactory.org
July 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
As the welfare vote tonight threatens to divide the Labour Party, Steve King and Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) discuss what lessons Keir Starmer could learn from Tony Blair and New Labour in our latest Policy Factory Podcast episode. policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
In our latest must-read article, Adam Wright looks at past government responses to dealing with epidemics, from Mad cow disease to Foot and Mouth to COVID, and outlines the dangers to democracy of following an exclusively techno-scientific approach.
policyfactory.org/article/from...
policyfactory.org/article/from...
Moral and Political pitfalls of scientific uncertainty in epidemiological crises
Modern governments have tended to rely heavily on a ‘follow the science’ response to epidemiological threats. However, epidemics are moments of both scientific uncertainty and social crisis. This pose...
policyfactory.org
June 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
In our latest must-read article, Adam Wright looks at past government responses to dealing with epidemics, from Mad cow disease to Foot and Mouth to COVID, and outlines the dangers to democracy of following an exclusively techno-scientific approach.
policyfactory.org/article/from...
policyfactory.org/article/from...
Reposted by Policy Factory
Reminder that tonight we have our next History and Policy online seminar at 5pm with Dr Matthew Smith (Strathclyde University) taking part in a Q&A session on the topic 'How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis’.
Register via link below ⬇️
Register via link below ⬇️
Tuesday 24 June, 5–6.30pm. On Teams.
For our next History and Policy Online Seminar we have Professor Matthew Smith (University of Strathclyde) presenting a Q&A session: How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis.
Register for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
For our next History and Policy Online Seminar we have Professor Matthew Smith (University of Strathclyde) presenting a Q&A session: How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis.
Register for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
History and Policy: History and Our Mental Health Crisis – Matthew Smith
Dr Matthew Smith presents 'How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis, a Q&A'
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Reminder that tonight we have our next History and Policy online seminar at 5pm with Dr Matthew Smith (Strathclyde University) taking part in a Q&A session on the topic 'How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis’.
Register via link below ⬇️
Register via link below ⬇️
Coming up next week!
Professor Matthew Smith will be presenting a Q & A session for the History and Policy Seminar on Tuesday 24 June, 5–6.30pm.
Register via the link below ⬇️
Professor Matthew Smith will be presenting a Q & A session for the History and Policy Seminar on Tuesday 24 June, 5–6.30pm.
Register via the link below ⬇️
Tuesday 24 June, 5–6.30pm. On Teams.
For our next History and Policy Online Seminar we have Professor Matthew Smith (University of Strathclyde) presenting a Q&A session: How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis.
Register for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
For our next History and Policy Online Seminar we have Professor Matthew Smith (University of Strathclyde) presenting a Q&A session: How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis.
Register for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
History and Policy: History and Our Mental Health Crisis – Matthew Smith
Dr Matthew Smith presents 'How History Can Help Solve Our Mental Health Crisis, a Q&A'
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 20, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Coming up next week!
Professor Matthew Smith will be presenting a Q & A session for the History and Policy Seminar on Tuesday 24 June, 5–6.30pm.
Register via the link below ⬇️
Professor Matthew Smith will be presenting a Q & A session for the History and Policy Seminar on Tuesday 24 June, 5–6.30pm.
Register via the link below ⬇️
With the welfare reform bill due to be published today, Steven King considers why Liz Kendall's benefit cuts are doomed to fail. policyfactory.org/comment_post...
Policy Factory – Why Reeves and Kendall’s Welfare Budget Cuts are doomed to fail
Steven King looks both ahead and to the past when considering Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall’s plans for welfare budget cuts. Why are such plans always doomed to fail?
policyfactory.org
June 18, 2025 at 10:46 AM
With the welfare reform bill due to be published today, Steven King considers why Liz Kendall's benefit cuts are doomed to fail. policyfactory.org/comment_post...
To brighten your morning feed, a poem by Steven King entitled Space Tourism.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Ahead of the publication of King's next volume of poetry, On the Mess, we will be releasing several poems in advance via the Policy Factory Substack.
Be sure to subscribe!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Ahead of the publication of King's next volume of poetry, On the Mess, we will be releasing several poems in advance via the Policy Factory Substack.
Be sure to subscribe!
June 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
To brighten your morning feed, a poem by Steven King entitled Space Tourism.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Ahead of the publication of King's next volume of poetry, On the Mess, we will be releasing several poems in advance via the Policy Factory Substack.
Be sure to subscribe!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Ahead of the publication of King's next volume of poetry, On the Mess, we will be releasing several poems in advance via the Policy Factory Substack.
Be sure to subscribe!
Reposted by Policy Factory
#Skystorians! Join me & the @historylabplus.bsky.social team online on 19 June @12:30 to explore how historical researchers (across all periods) can make themselves more visible to UK policy makers. For details👉 www.history.ac.uk/events/historical-research-and-policy-making & 🧵
Historical Research and Policy Making
www.history.ac.uk
May 23, 2025 at 12:22 PM
#Skystorians! Join me & the @historylabplus.bsky.social team online on 19 June @12:30 to explore how historical researchers (across all periods) can make themselves more visible to UK policy makers. For details👉 www.history.ac.uk/events/historical-research-and-policy-making & 🧵
Struggling to make sense of what's going on here and on the other place?
Want something informative but light to brighten up your inbox?
Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/policyfa...
Want something informative but light to brighten up your inbox?
Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/policyfa...
Finding a way out of this mess
In an age of near-permanent crisis, Policy Factory looks to the past to make sense of modern political issues.
open.substack.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Struggling to make sense of what's going on here and on the other place?
Want something informative but light to brighten up your inbox?
Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/policyfa...
Want something informative but light to brighten up your inbox?
Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/policyfa...
Today! 5–6.30 pm online via MS Teams
Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting on 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda' for the CRHHMS Centre Research Seminar.
Register for free via the Eventbrite link ⬇️
Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting on 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda' for the CRHHMS Centre Research Seminar.
Register for free via the Eventbrite link ⬇️
On Monday 2 June, join us for our next CRHHMS Centre Research seminar where Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda'.
2 June, 5-6.30pm. On Teams.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1024045005...
2 June, 5-6.30pm. On Teams.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1024045005...
June 2, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Today! 5–6.30 pm online via MS Teams
Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting on 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda' for the CRHHMS Centre Research Seminar.
Register for free via the Eventbrite link ⬇️
Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting on 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda' for the CRHHMS Centre Research Seminar.
Register for free via the Eventbrite link ⬇️
On Monday 2 June, join us for our next CRHHMS Centre Research seminar where Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda'.
2 June, 5-6.30pm. On Teams.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1024045005...
2 June, 5-6.30pm. On Teams.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1024045005...
May 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
On Monday 2 June, join us for our next CRHHMS Centre Research seminar where Professor Gill Allwood will be presenting 'What’s gender got to do with it? National and local climate policy in Uganda'.
2 June, 5-6.30pm. On Teams.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1024045005...
2 June, 5-6.30pm. On Teams.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1024045005...
We've got a History and Policy seminar coming up this week on Tuesday 27 May, 5-6.30pm.
@kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social will be speaking on health and social care policy and why the UK as of yet does not have a National Social Care Service.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
@kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social will be speaking on health and social care policy and why the UK as of yet does not have a National Social Care Service.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
May 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
We've got a History and Policy seminar coming up this week on Tuesday 27 May, 5-6.30pm.
@kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social will be speaking on health and social care policy and why the UK as of yet does not have a National Social Care Service.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
@kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social will be speaking on health and social care policy and why the UK as of yet does not have a National Social Care Service.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
Liz Kendall will be speaking today at @ippr.bsky.social in defence of looming welfare cuts.
But is she ignoring some important lessons from history? Policy Factory's Steven King comments on this latest attempt at welfare reform.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
But is she ignoring some important lessons from history? Policy Factory's Steven King comments on this latest attempt at welfare reform.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
Policy Factory – Why Reeves and Kendall’s Welfare Budget Cuts are doomed to fail
Steven King looks both ahead and to the past when considering Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall’s plans for welfare budget cuts. Why are such plans always doomed to fail?
policyfactory.org
May 21, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Liz Kendall will be speaking today at @ippr.bsky.social in defence of looming welfare cuts.
But is she ignoring some important lessons from history? Policy Factory's Steven King comments on this latest attempt at welfare reform.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
But is she ignoring some important lessons from history? Policy Factory's Steven King comments on this latest attempt at welfare reform.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
For NTU's next History and Policy online seminar, @kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social will be speaking about the history of health and social care and why there is as of yet no effective social care service in place.
Not to be missed! Register for free via the Eventbrite link below ⬇️
Not to be missed! Register for free via the Eventbrite link below ⬇️
Tuesday 27 May, 5-6.30pm
For our next History and Policy online seminar we will have @kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social speaking on 'Why are we still waiting for a National Social Service? Lessons from the history of health and social care'.
Register for free via: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
For our next History and Policy online seminar we will have @kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social speaking on 'Why are we still waiting for a National Social Service? Lessons from the history of health and social care'.
Register for free via: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-an...
History and Policy: Lessons from health and social care – Kevin Jones
Dr Kevin Jones presents "Why are we still waiting for a National Social Service? Lessons from the history of health and social care"
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
For NTU's next History and Policy online seminar, @kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social will be speaking about the history of health and social care and why there is as of yet no effective social care service in place.
Not to be missed! Register for free via the Eventbrite link below ⬇️
Not to be missed! Register for free via the Eventbrite link below ⬇️
Reposted by Policy Factory
Big day to be a fisheries historian (fishtorian). Big day.
When it comes to oily fish, the export market has always been the focus of British commerical fishing. Prior to the First World War, British fishing was dominated by the North Sea herring fishing; herring outweighed every other fish (1/?)
When it comes to oily fish, the export market has always been the focus of British commerical fishing. Prior to the First World War, British fishing was dominated by the North Sea herring fishing; herring outweighed every other fish (1/?)
The odd thing about UK fisheries is that we export a lot of mackerel and import a lot of cod and haddock. When did this start? Once upon a time did we eat a lot of mackerel?
May 19, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Big day to be a fisheries historian (fishtorian). Big day.
When it comes to oily fish, the export market has always been the focus of British commerical fishing. Prior to the First World War, British fishing was dominated by the North Sea herring fishing; herring outweighed every other fish (1/?)
When it comes to oily fish, the export market has always been the focus of British commerical fishing. Prior to the First World War, British fishing was dominated by the North Sea herring fishing; herring outweighed every other fish (1/?)
Upcoming two-day conference on the histories of people with learning disabilities by the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group. Featuring talks, workshops, exhibitions and more.
See details below.
See details below.
The inclusive Social History of Learning Disability conference is taking place at the Open University in Milton Keynes on 9th and 10th July.
It’s a conference about the importance of the stories, memories and histories of people with learning disabilities.
More details here: tinyurl.com/yt89tkxr
It’s a conference about the importance of the stories, memories and histories of people with learning disabilities.
More details here: tinyurl.com/yt89tkxr
The Open University
The 30th Anniversary of the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Conference9-10th July 2025
tinyurl.com
May 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Upcoming two-day conference on the histories of people with learning disabilities by the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group. Featuring talks, workshops, exhibitions and more.
See details below.
See details below.
Need something to read this cloudy Saturday?
In our Comment piece this week, Cat Gower talks Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, and the dangers of trying to stir up anti-immigrant rhetoric.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
In our Comment piece this week, Cat Gower talks Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, and the dangers of trying to stir up anti-immigrant rhetoric.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
How can it be anything but political?: Keir Starmer and an 'island of strangers'
On Monday 12 May, Keir Starmer announced his government's plans to reform the immigration system, tightening rules on who may reside in the UK. Although quickly denying any political incentive, the ti...
policyfactory.org
May 17, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Need something to read this cloudy Saturday?
In our Comment piece this week, Cat Gower talks Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, and the dangers of trying to stir up anti-immigrant rhetoric.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
In our Comment piece this week, Cat Gower talks Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, and the dangers of trying to stir up anti-immigrant rhetoric.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
Following on from Keir Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech on Monday, Cat Gower (@catherinegower.bsky.social) takes some time away from tinkering with the Policy Factory website to reflect on Keir's use of language.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
How can it be anything but political?: Keir Starmer and an 'island of strangers'
On Monday 12 May, Keir Starmer announced his government's plans to reform the immigration system, tightening rules on who may reside in the UK. Although quickly denying any political incentive, the ti...
policyfactory.org
May 15, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Following on from Keir Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech on Monday, Cat Gower (@catherinegower.bsky.social) takes some time away from tinkering with the Policy Factory website to reflect on Keir's use of language.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
TONIGHT Policy Factory's Steven King discusses the research behind his latest book Fraudulent Lives: Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present as part of the NTU CRHHMS seminar.
5-6.30pm on Teams. Free to attend: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crhhms-tal...
5-6.30pm on Teams. Free to attend: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crhhms-tal...
REMINDER Tonight we have our next CRHHMS Centre Research Seminar with CRHHMS's own Steven King presenting “Talking to ‘benefit cheats’: Oral histories from danger to redemption”.
Monday 12 May, 5-6.30pm on Teams. Register for free via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crhhms-tal...
Monday 12 May, 5-6.30pm on Teams. Register for free via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crhhms-tal...
CRHHMS: Talking to ‘benefit cheats’ – Steven King
Professor Steven King presents “Talking to ‘benefit cheats’: Oral histories from danger to redemption”
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 6:55 AM
TONIGHT Policy Factory's Steven King discusses the research behind his latest book Fraudulent Lives: Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present as part of the NTU CRHHMS seminar.
5-6.30pm on Teams. Free to attend: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crhhms-tal...
5-6.30pm on Teams. Free to attend: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crhhms-tal...
With a rebellion brewing within the Parliamentary Labour Party over planned welfare cuts, in our latest Comment article, Steven King considers why such cuts to benefits are doomed from the start. #weekendread
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
Policy Factory – Why Reeves and Kendall’s Welfare Budget Cuts are doomed to fail
Steven King looks both ahead and to the past when considering Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall’s plans for welfare budget cuts. Why are such plans always doomed to fail?
policyfactory.org
May 11, 2025 at 8:31 AM
With a rebellion brewing within the Parliamentary Labour Party over planned welfare cuts, in our latest Comment article, Steven King considers why such cuts to benefits are doomed from the start. #weekendread
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
Reposted by Policy Factory
Need something to listen to this weekend?
Listen to the Policy Factory podcast where Steven King discusses his latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present.
Available on Substack, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:
policyfactory.substack.com/p/steven-kin...
Listen to the Policy Factory podcast where Steven King discusses his latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present.
Available on Substack, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:
policyfactory.substack.com/p/steven-kin...
Steven King discusses Fraudulent Lives: Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present
In this episode recorded in September 2024 Steven King and Cat Gower discuss King's latest book, Fraudulent Lives: Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present (Montreal, 2024) and how hi...
policyfactory.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Need something to listen to this weekend?
Listen to the Policy Factory podcast where Steven King discusses his latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present.
Available on Substack, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:
policyfactory.substack.com/p/steven-kin...
Listen to the Policy Factory podcast where Steven King discusses his latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present.
Available on Substack, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:
policyfactory.substack.com/p/steven-kin...
Policy Factory's Steven King will be presenting at the online CRRHMS seminar on 12 May on:
“Talking to ‘benefit cheats’: Oral histories from danger to redemption”
This talk follows on from King's latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present (2024).
“Talking to ‘benefit cheats’: Oral histories from danger to redemption”
This talk follows on from King's latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present (2024).
May 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Policy Factory's Steven King will be presenting at the online CRRHMS seminar on 12 May on:
“Talking to ‘benefit cheats’: Oral histories from danger to redemption”
This talk follows on from King's latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present (2024).
“Talking to ‘benefit cheats’: Oral histories from danger to redemption”
This talk follows on from King's latest book, Fraudulent Lives
Imagining Welfare Cheats from the Poor Law to the Present (2024).
Read our first blog post where Steven King outlines the aims of the Policy Factory project: policyfactory.org/2025/04/29/t...
Policy Factory – Launching Policy Factory
Today we launch Policy Factory, a collective of historians, sociologists and others who have come together for three reasons. First, a shared sense that the deep history of modern dilemmas generall…
policyfactory.org
May 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Read our first blog post where Steven King outlines the aims of the Policy Factory project: policyfactory.org/2025/04/29/t...