Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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

🎉 We were delighted to celebrate the official launch of the Bennett School of Public Policy earlier this week at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

Our goal is to equip the policymakers of tomorrow with the skills, insights, and experiences they need to tackle the complex challenges of our time.

4 9

Reposted by Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Alex Walker @alwalker.bsky.social · 2d

New blog for @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk on the pride in place strategy

I explore why the government is going quite big on this and has adopted the language of pride in place, and look at whether it marks a real shift in power away from the centre

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

Unpacking the pride in place programme - Bennett School of Public Policy

Labour’s new ‘pride in place’ strategy promises to empower communities to restore local spaces and revive high streets. The widened and rebranded regeneration scheme forms a key pillar of its response...

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

4 6

Reposted by Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Diane Coyle @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social · 2d

Very pleased my colleagues
@bennettschool.cam.ac.uk
are one of the teams selected for this excellent
@ai.cam.ac.uk
initiative to streamline university ops: www.ai.cam.ac.uk/news/eight-t...

Eight teams awarded funding to pioneer AI in University operations

From cutting exam administration time by 90 percent to helping researchers bring medical software to regulators 60 percent faster, eight new AI for University Operations projects will use artificial i...

www.ai.cam.ac.uk

3 28

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

The government's ‘pride in place’ programme aims to revitalise local places and empower communities.

But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.

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

Unpacking the pride in place programme - Bennett School of Public Policy

The government's new ‘pride in place’ strategy promises to empower communities to restore local spaces and revive high streets. The widened and rebranded regeneration scheme forms a key pillar of its ...

www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

1 2 4

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

Join our Virtual Open Day to learn about our graduate courses starting Oct 2026 with @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social & @terzibus.bsky.social

📅 4 Nov 2025
🕒 9–11am

Meet course directors, ask questions, and explore our MPhils in Digital Policy & Public Policy.

www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/openday

4 4

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 6d

🆕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

2 2

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 7d

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...

3

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 12d

📢 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/

3 3

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

🚨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...

7 8

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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...

6 12

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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

1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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.

1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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.

1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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.

1 1 1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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.

1 2

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

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

1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 17d

🚨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.

1 3 3

Reposted by Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Owen Garling @ojgarling.bsky.social · 28d

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 · Sep 12

📢 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

3 4

Reposted by Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Thomas Aubrey @thomasaubreycca.bsky.social · 19d

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

1 4 9

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

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

4 10

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

🚨 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...

6 10

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

🚨 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-...

1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 24d

📢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/

1

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 25d

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

1 1

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

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

6 3