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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 2d

🆕Welcome to our fifth series of Crossing Channels podcasts — giving interdisciplinary answers to today's challenging questions

🎙️First up: Are universities ready for the age of AI?

Richard Westcott talks to @jonathancgrant.bsky.social François Bonnefon & François Poinas.

🎧Listen: pod.fo/e/337864

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 3d

We're looking for two Research Assistants/Associates (RA) to join our team:
- RA in the AI & Geopolitics Project – directed by @verityharding.bsky.social
- RA to support policy response & knowledge transfer activities - led by @ojgarling.bsky.social
Apply: www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/about-us/car...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 8d

📢 Applications are now open for 2026–27 entry to our two MPhil programmes

🎓 New: MPhil in Digital Policy
🎓 MPhil in Public Policy

Ideal for professionals in government, business & civic sectors.

🔗 Learn more about the courses & funding & apply:
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/study/

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 9d

🚨We're hiring!

🌐Research Assistant/Associate to work with @verityharding.bsky.social on the AI & Geopolitics Project (AIxGEO)

💡Research Assistant/Associate to work with @ojgarling.bsky.social on our policy response & knowledge transfer activities

🔗 www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/about-us/car...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

We're looking for two Research Assistants/Associates to work on exciting projects at the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

➡️AI & Geopolitics Project (AIxGEO)
➡️Policy response & knowledge transfer

Find out more & apply: www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/about-us/car...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

Read the blog: Financing infrastructure without unnerving the bond market ➡️ www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/financi...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

E.g. A wave of self-funded new towns could be built enabling high-growth firms to expand by closely integrating transport & housing in high productivity areas. The net result would likely be lower gilt yields given there will be higher growth with its higher tax receipts & lower gilts issuance.

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

Aligning with international accounting standards would improve the UK's published fiscal numbers — & unlock billions in infrastructure investment without scaring the bond markets — permitting a transformation of growth potential.

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

E.g. The Dutch (& much of Europe) use a different model:
✅ Regional public corporations
✅ Raise own debt
✅ Self-fund via land value capture, rents, & user revenues
Result? Higher growth, more infrastructure, & lower sovereign yields. But the UK Treasury has ruled itself out from using this approach.

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

Instead of relying on traditional gilt-funded investment, the government should turn to a proven model: financing infrastructure through public corporation debt. This approach can accelerate growth without pushing up government bond yields.

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

Whitehall’s strategy:
Raise taxes ➡️ borrow more ➡️ fund infrastructure ➡️ hope it drives growth.

But delivery is poor. Projects arrive late, over budget, and often without integrated housing.

E.g., Leeds tram: £2bn = only 7K homes

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 13d

🚨New blog: The Chancellor’s first budget aimed to boost capital investment — but the bond market reacted negatively. With economic growth continuing to slow, it’s time for a fundamental rethink, writes @thomasaubreycca.bsky.social, founder of Credit Capital Advisory.

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Reposted by Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Owen Garling @ojgarling.bsky.social · 24d

Wet afternoon? Looking for a change? Keen to work in the space between academia and policymaking?

Great opportunity here to work with us at @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk.

Owen Garling @ojgarling.bsky.social · 26d

📢 We're recruiting!

Come and join us at @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk.

We're looking for someone to support policy response and knowledge transfer activities & enhance our capacity to respond quickly and effectively to opportunities for policy engagement and impact.

👇👇👇

www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...

Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)

Funding is available for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of a further two years funding. Applications are invited for a Research Associate at the new Bennett School of Public

www.cam.ac.uk

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Reposted by Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Thomas Aubrey @thomasaubreycca.bsky.social · 15d

My latest @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk piece on how the Chancellor can finance the next wave of infrastructure without unnerving the bond market. The Chancellor’s attempt to increase capital investment resulted in a negative reaction from the bond market. As www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/financi...

Financing infrastructure without unnerving the bond market - Bennett School of Public Policy

The Chancellor’s attempt to increase capital investment in her first budget resulted in a negative reaction from the bond market. As growth slows, the Chancellor needs to fundamentally rethink her app...

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 16d

We're excited to be recording our 1st podcast episode for our 5th Crossing Channels series—in partnership with @tse-fr.eu—with host Richard Westcott, guests @jonathancgrant.bsky.social, @jfbonnefon.bsky.social & François Poinas, & our new audio producer.

Launching 6 Oct:
podfollow.com/1539614493

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 16d

🚨 We're looking for a Research Assistant/Associate to join our AI & Geopolitics Project (AIxGEO) team.

Work with @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social, @verityharding.bsky.social, @alturobov.bsky.social & other experts on the latest AI & global policy.

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/about-us/vac...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 19d

🚨 Just released: More tickets now available for this year’s Reynolds Lecture!

Join @mazzucatom.bsky.social as she explores Mission-Oriented Government: Building State Capacity for the 21st Century.

📅23 October
🕠17:30-18:45
📍Emmanuel College, Cambridge

🔗 www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/events/2025-...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 20d

📢Applications are now open for our 2026 Masters courses in Public Policy, & in Digital Policy.

These are ideal for applicants with at least two years of work experience, who are keen to progress into senior policymaking in any sectors.

Funding is available.

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/study/

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 21d

Join us for this year's Reynolds Lecture with @mazzucatom.bsky.social on Mission-Oriented Government: Building State Capacity for the 21st Century

📅23 Oct 2025
🕠17:30-18:45
📍Emmanuel College, Cambridge

Book your place: www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/events/2025-...

@iipp-ucl.bsky.social @eaves.ca

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 22d

We're recruiting! We're seeking an early-career policy or research professional to support policy response & knowledge transfer activities & to enhance our capacity to respond quickly & effectively to opportunities for policy engagement & impact.

👉🏽 www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/about-us/vac...

Research Assistant/Associate - Bennett School of Public Policy

Department/Location: Department of Public Policy (Bennett School of Public Policy)Salary: £33,002-£46,049Reference: JB47263Category: ResearchDate published: 12 September 2025Closing date: 10 October 2...

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 22d

As AI services grow, so do the risks of platform lock-in & losing control over personal data.
Users should be able to download & transfer their AI interaction data freely, securely & in open format.
This is key to keeping AI competitive, open & user-first.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/governi...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 23d

Governing AI starts with user control

To keep AI open, competitive, & user-centred, we need real data portability — no more platform lock-in, writes @mchrisriley.com, Data Transfer Initiative, in a new blog:

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/governi...

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 26d

Their new policy brief argues UK start-ups & scale-ups in the tech sector can drive inclusive, resilient growth—but only if bottlenecks in ecosystems are fixed.

The UK government needs to think strategically, invest locally, & coordinate nationally

Read: www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/publications...

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 26d

Coyle & Nguyen say the UK needs to: build stronger, specialised ecosystems; go beyond isolated policies; & enable coordination across finance, talent, R&D, & regulation.
Start-ups thrive in environments that foster growth, failure, exit & reinvention. This requires policy vision & joined-up thinking

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Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 26d

Venture capitalist funding is healthy in the early stages & international in origin

But there’s a “late-stage gap”—UK firms struggle to get scale-up capital at home

And foreign capital is potentially volatile

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