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Lauren Leek

@laurenleek.eu

2K followers 800 following 87 posts

Social data scientist | Postdoc @DIVIDED & Senior Research Scientist @Verian Group | PhDing @EUI https://laurenleek.eu/

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Dec 10

Another week, another blog:) this one is for my academic friends entering the European postdoc job market. laurenleek.substack.com/p/the-postdo...

The postdoc 'big mac plus' index

Which university in Europe has the best postdoc package? In order words, which university is perhaps 'undervalued'? This blog considers salary, cost of living, life satisfaction and uni reputation.

laurenleek.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · 2d

Thanks a lot:)

Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · 2d

Today I did a mock defense at the @eui-eco.bsky.social economics department (and even passed the SUTVA assumption question!). Curious? See my slides at laurenleek.eu/thesis-slides or sign-up for the actual defense at @eui-sps.bsky.social tomorrow at 11am via www.eui.eu/events?id=57...

The Rise of Central Bank Talk – Thesis Defense

laurenleek.eu

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · 9d

Found at the LSE Data Science Institute. More accurate would have been: var coffee = newCoffee();if(coffee.empty){panic()}
Since I had the great idea to write my thesis defense slides in JavaScript…

Reposted by Lauren Leek

Simon Hix @simonhix.bsky.social · 20d

Fascinating and insightful new substack by @laurenleek.eu:

The UK’s Local Inequality Problem: Big Debates, Bad Data open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

The UK’s Local Inequality Problem: Big Debates, Bad Data

We talk endlessly about inequality, but the tools and data are fragile and misleading. Good local income data is missing - yet house price proxies, small-area models, and AI offer ways forward.

open.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · 20d

I got stuck measuring local UK inequality, so I wrote a Substack about it: "The UK's Local Inequality Problem: Big Debates, Bad Data" Do share your data and thoughts! open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

The UK’s Local Inequality Problem: Big Debates, Bad Data

We talk endlessly about inequality, but the tools and data are fragile and misleading. Good local income data is missing - yet house price proxies, small-area models, and AI offer ways forward.

open.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Aug 15

Just wrote a new Substack in which I take a deep dive into the world of football analytics: What the Final Score Didn't Tell You: The 2025 Women's final in Football Analytics
open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

What the Final Score Didn’t Tell You: The 2025 Women’s Final in Football Analytics

The scoreboard crowned a champion, but the numbers told a different story. This is the 2025 Women’s Football Final through the lens of football analytics - decoded through xG, OBSO and many more.

open.substack.com

Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jul 25

Just wrote a new Substack, do check it out and provide feedback!: Provisional Findings: a Lower Voting Age Would Hand Labour a Quiet Edge open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

Provisional Findings: a Lower Voting Age Would Hand Labour a Quiet Edge

Britain’s teenage electorate expansion looks trivial and insignificant at first glance, but a quick test building on the latest YouGov MRP suggests otherwise. Below is a first‑cut analysis.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Daniel Devine @danjdevine.bsky.social · Jul 7

A new 'public opinion analytics lab' has been launched: publicopinionanalyticslab.github.io/people/

Led by @miriamsorace.bsky.social, @sarahobolt.bsky.social , @drjennings.bsky.social and a thematic leadership team, POAL advances research & teaching of public opinion measurement and analysis.

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Simon Hix @simonhix.bsky.social · Jul 4

If you're into cycling and 1890s politics (I fit this intersection 😉), then you'll love @laurenleek.eu's latest Substack: open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

How a political scandal sparked the Tour de France - and what to expect this year

With the Tour starting tomorrow, it’s time to revisit what all the fuss is about. I dive into the unlikely origins of a newspaper war amidst the Dreyfus Affair before previewing this years edition.

open.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jul 4

Thanks Adam!

Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jul 4

I wrote another cycling Substack... This time about the Tour de France and it's political origins plus some data predictions regarding who is going to win this years edition. open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

How a political scandal sparked the Tour de France - and what to expect this year

With the Tour starting tomorrow, it’s time to revisit what all the fuss is about. I dive into the unlikely origins of a newspaper war amidst the Dreyfus Affair before previewing this years edition.

open.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jun 29

Just came across this interesting paper: ‘The opportunity cost of a phd: spending your twenties’. *Take-away*: in terms of earnings it’s not a good idea to do a PhD for men but it is for women! www.borianamiloucheva.com/uploads/1/3/...

www.borianamiloucheva.com

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Simon Hix @simonhix.bsky.social · Jun 19

Another great Substack from @laurenleek.eu, which this time is a fabulously clearly summary of her excellent PhD thesis (on central bankers' speeches). Great job Lauren!
open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

The last breath of central bank independence - and how simple talk can save it

Using LLM analysis of 18000+ speeches I reveal three fundamental threats to central bank independence beyond the populist headlines. The lifeline? Simple talk.

open.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jun 19

Thanks so much, Simon - and for all the great support and supervision along the way!

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

simeon bischl @simeonbischl.de · Jun 19

Can't wait for central bankers to read this and introduce «Narrative Discipline» as their new policy tool!

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jun 19

Long overdue: I finally wrote a blog on the topic of my PhD thesis (and links to all papers) on central bank independence and communication. Check it out if only to see my data visuals! open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

The last breath of central bank independence - and how simple talk can save it

Using LLM analysis of 18000+ speeches I reveal three fundamental threats to central bank independence beyond the populist headlines. The lifeline? Simple talk.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Public Opinion Analytics Lab (POAL) @poalab.bsky.social · Jun 16

"Yes, there is ‘enshittification’ of surveys. But let me be the typical academic and point out that there are also many nuances and solutions"

@laurenleek.eu followed up her previous substack with more insights and ideas on survey quality!

laurenleek.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...

The Quiet Collapse of Surveys Part II: adding some nuances

Following up on the previous Substack which identified twin threats for surveys: increases in non-response and bots, this follow-up unpacks the nuances, busts myths, and offers practical fixes.

laurenleek.substack.com

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · Jun 14

Okay this is getting ridiculous.

In addition to the ongoing problems with the UK’s Labour Force Survey, the Wealth and Assets Survey (key source for measuring wealth inequality) has now also had its accreditation revoked due to falling response rates.

osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/osr-sus...

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Simon Hix @simonhix.bsky.social · Jun 13

Together with @paugrau.bsky.social, we have just posted our first Substack, which is our quick take on the outcome of the labour rights and citizenship referendums in Italy on 8-9 June
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open.substack.com/pub/simonhix...

Divide and Lose

One Reason Why Italy’s Progressives Lost the June 2025 Referendums

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Simon Hix @simonhix.bsky.social · Jun 8

This is another fabulous Substack by @laurenleek.eu, on the challenges of survey sampling. A must-read for survey industry specialists and academic users of surveys. Eg. I’m sure you’ll love this @kevincunning.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...

The Quiet Collapse of Surveys Part II: adding some nuances

Following up on the previous Substack which identified twin threats for surveys: increases in non-response and bots, this follow-up unpacks the nuances, busts myths, and offers practical fixes.

open.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · Jun 8

A follow-up to my survey Substack has just dropped👀
laurenleek.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...

The Quiet Collapse of Surveys Part II: adding some nuances

Following up on the previous Substack which identified twin threats for surveys: increases in non-response and bots, this follow-up unpacks the nuances, busts myths, and offers practical fixes.

laurenleek.substack.com

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Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · May 28

👀 www.ft.com/content/6bd1...

Christine Lagarde discussed leaving ECB early to head WEF, Klaus Schwab says

Ousted Davos founder says central bank chief has been in talks to leave before her term ends in 2027

www.ft.com

Reposted by Lauren Leek

Joris Frese @fresejoris.bsky.social · May 21

🇪🇺🇦🇫 Published Today in CPS 🇪🇺🇦🇫

“Stand by those who share our values” – how refugees fleeing the Taliban improved European attitudes toward immigration

Article: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Pre-print: osf.io/preprints/os...

Thread: 1/8

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Public Opinion Analytics Lab (POAL) @poalab.bsky.social · May 20

Some sharp insights from our very own @laurenleek.eu on the challenges AI poses to survey quality!

Lauren Leek @laurenleek.eu · May 19

I wrote a new Substack! "The quiet collapse of surveys: fewer humans (and more AI agents) are answering survey questions" laurenleek.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...

The quiet collapse of surveys: fewer humans (and more AI agents) are answering survey questions

I show data on two trends undermining surveys: the collapse of human response rates and the increase of AI agents. I'll also discuss downstream implications and propose some possible solutions.

laurenleek.substack.com

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Reposted by Lauren Leek

Public Opinion Analytics Lab (POAL) @poalab.bsky.social · May 19

Some snapshots from our event on Friday, where we discussed the future of polling, the challenges ahead, and how AI is shaping survey research. Massive THANK YOU to all panelists for sharing their wisdom with us! Here’s a thread with some key take-aways:

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