Sandy Oliver
@profsandyoliver.bsky.social
Combining different ways of knowing – practical, emotional, cultural, scientific – for better academic knowledge and a better world https://www.ucl-ioe-press.com/research-for-all
Looking forward to October 2026, we've started offering places to applicants to our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
UCL's Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for the systematic review of research, also known as evidence syntheses, and explores how research is combined with professional and community knowledge to support policy decision-making by governments and other national and international organisations around the world. The course offers
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Looking forward to October 2026, we've started offering places to applicants to our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Why science for policy?
It helps define the policy problem and find underlying causes.
It helps reach trade-offs and compromises by understanding impacts.
It helps find out what works through evaluation.
Most of all, it helps earn trust in democracy by grounding it in facts and reality.
It helps define the policy problem and find underlying causes.
It helps reach trade-offs and compromises by understanding impacts.
It helps find out what works through evaluation.
Most of all, it helps earn trust in democracy by grounding it in facts and reality.
November 11, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Why science for policy?
It helps define the policy problem and find underlying causes.
It helps reach trade-offs and compromises by understanding impacts.
It helps find out what works through evaluation.
Most of all, it helps earn trust in democracy by grounding it in facts and reality.
It helps define the policy problem and find underlying causes.
It helps reach trade-offs and compromises by understanding impacts.
It helps find out what works through evaluation.
Most of all, it helps earn trust in democracy by grounding it in facts and reality.
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
This really is a shame.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
For 61 years the #BBCWorldService has been broadcasting the latest in science via its weekly Science in Action programme. That dies in the next half hour, with this final edition, reflecting on the fall in trust in expertise driven by malign interests over recent years.
October 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This really is a shame.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The value of public R&D
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Thank you to everyone who joined #Stage4 of #ThePeoplesReview. Now, our team working backstage are taking a closer look at the 699 possibly relevant studies to find the ones that answer the People's favourite question.
Stay tuned for #Stage5 coming soon...
Stay tuned for #Stage5 coming soon...
October 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined #Stage4 of #ThePeoplesReview. Now, our team working backstage are taking a closer look at the 699 possibly relevant studies to find the ones that answer the People's favourite question.
Stay tuned for #Stage5 coming soon...
Stay tuned for #Stage5 coming soon...
I’ll be there - looking forward to it.
Come along tomorrow to LSHTM, Keppel Street or online to hear me talk about why we do research, why it's not used, and how we might engineer the system to get better value for all of us...
www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/e...
www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/e...
Is research really worth it? with Professor Kathryn Oliver | LSHTM
Research is something we spend a lot of money and time on — as individuals, organisations, and states. But is it worth it? Do we get bang for our buck? Who really benefits? And does research actually
www.lshtm.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I’ll be there - looking forward to it.
Oh dear - we desperately need better public understanding of science.
Theres soon to be a test on whether those who opine about screening actually understand the principles on which screening programmes are based
Get your revision done
In the meantime here is a masterclass from Prof Baum
(More advanced classes are available)
Get your revision done
In the meantime here is a masterclass from Prof Baum
(More advanced classes are available)
October 16, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Oh dear - we desperately need better public understanding of science.
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
I'm hugely honoured and very excited to be giving this year's Historical Research #Lecture at @ihr.bsky.social, on 'Can popular #history be radical? Historical research and writing for the #public'. Tuesday 4 November, all welcome. More info in AltText. Book here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
October 1, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I'm hugely honoured and very excited to be giving this year's Historical Research #Lecture at @ihr.bsky.social, on 'Can popular #history be radical? Historical research and writing for the #public'. Tuesday 4 November, all welcome. More info in AltText. Book here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
when autistic people talk about research that will actually help to improve autistic people's quality of life, this is the kind of thing we mean. this is a neat study.
#CRAEresearchSummaries
Disclosing an autism diagnosis improves ratings of candidate performance in employment interviews
Disclosing an autism diagnosis improves ratings of candidate performance in employment interviews
Disclosing an autism diagnosis improves ratings of candidate performance in employment interviews
Deciding when or whether to disclose an Autism diagnosis in the workplace is often a challenging decision. This study suggests that disclosing during the interview process may enhance employment pr…
crae.ioe.ac.uk
September 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
when autistic people talk about research that will actually help to improve autistic people's quality of life, this is the kind of thing we mean. this is a neat study.
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Unsolicited writing advice, no.976:
Read. Read for pleasure. Read out of curiosity. Read both in and outside your comfort zone. Read in order to a get a thorough understanding of the industry you’re getting into. No time? Find time. Writing without reading is like cooking without food.
Read. Read for pleasure. Read out of curiosity. Read both in and outside your comfort zone. Read in order to a get a thorough understanding of the industry you’re getting into. No time? Find time. Writing without reading is like cooking without food.
August 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no.976:
Read. Read for pleasure. Read out of curiosity. Read both in and outside your comfort zone. Read in order to a get a thorough understanding of the industry you’re getting into. No time? Find time. Writing without reading is like cooking without food.
Read. Read for pleasure. Read out of curiosity. Read both in and outside your comfort zone. Read in order to a get a thorough understanding of the industry you’re getting into. No time? Find time. Writing without reading is like cooking without food.
👇🏻
When we say we trust a technology, it's never just about the thing. It's also about the people around the thing.
August 13, 2025 at 8:05 AM
👇🏻
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
“Listening is a tool for health equity, not just a soft skill”
Had a wonderful experience writing this piece that was commissioned for The Student BMJ by editor @georgeawebster.bsky.social!
www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Had a wonderful experience writing this piece that was commissioned for The Student BMJ by editor @georgeawebster.bsky.social!
www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Listening is a tool for health equity, not just a soft skill
The medical establishment hasn't always listened to patients; nurturing this vital skill can help to tackle health inequalities, says Rageshri Dhairyawan
Communication skills such as listening are of...
www.bmj.com
July 2, 2025 at 7:33 PM
“Listening is a tool for health equity, not just a soft skill”
Had a wonderful experience writing this piece that was commissioned for The Student BMJ by editor @georgeawebster.bsky.social!
www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Had a wonderful experience writing this piece that was commissioned for The Student BMJ by editor @georgeawebster.bsky.social!
www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
‼️HOT OFF THE PRESS‼️
⭐Updated Responsible AI use in Evidence Synthesis (RAISE) 3-paper collection on OSF: osf.io/fwaud/files/... ⭐
Now includes:
1️⃣Recommendations for practice for the main roles in the ecosystem
2️⃣ Guidance on building & evaluating AI tools
3️⃣Guidance on selecting & using AI tools
⭐Updated Responsible AI use in Evidence Synthesis (RAISE) 3-paper collection on OSF: osf.io/fwaud/files/... ⭐
Now includes:
1️⃣Recommendations for practice for the main roles in the ecosystem
2️⃣ Guidance on building & evaluating AI tools
3️⃣Guidance on selecting & using AI tools
OSF
osf.io
June 4, 2025 at 8:59 AM
‼️HOT OFF THE PRESS‼️
⭐Updated Responsible AI use in Evidence Synthesis (RAISE) 3-paper collection on OSF: osf.io/fwaud/files/... ⭐
Now includes:
1️⃣Recommendations for practice for the main roles in the ecosystem
2️⃣ Guidance on building & evaluating AI tools
3️⃣Guidance on selecting & using AI tools
⭐Updated Responsible AI use in Evidence Synthesis (RAISE) 3-paper collection on OSF: osf.io/fwaud/files/... ⭐
Now includes:
1️⃣Recommendations for practice for the main roles in the ecosystem
2️⃣ Guidance on building & evaluating AI tools
3️⃣Guidance on selecting & using AI tools
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Navigating research on the performance of generative LLM-based tools in health and social care? The freshly updated Living Map of Generative LLM-Based Tools for Health and Social Care Applications by @eppicentre.bsky.social is your compass.
#AIHealth
#AIHealth
July 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Navigating research on the performance of generative LLM-based tools in health and social care? The freshly updated Living Map of Generative LLM-Based Tools for Health and Social Care Applications by @eppicentre.bsky.social is your compass.
#AIHealth
#AIHealth
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Check out this summary of a Campbell evidence and gap map on interventions for improving informal support for victim-survivors of domestic abuse: a small but useful evidence base. Funded by the UK Economic Social Research Council
tinyurl.com/ytf9enb8
@sriucl.bsky.social @eppicentre.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/ytf9enb8
@sriucl.bsky.social @eppicentre.bsky.social
Summary of a Campbell evidence and gap map on interventions for improving informal support for victim-survivors of domestic abuse: a small but useful evidence base – Campbell Collaboration
tinyurl.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Check out this summary of a Campbell evidence and gap map on interventions for improving informal support for victim-survivors of domestic abuse: a small but useful evidence base. Funded by the UK Economic Social Research Council
tinyurl.com/ytf9enb8
@sriucl.bsky.social @eppicentre.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/ytf9enb8
@sriucl.bsky.social @eppicentre.bsky.social
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Check out this exciting master's degree option offered by our department!
Many of our students already have an established career in research or policy. So there’s learning for teachers as well as for students during our discussions about evidence for decision-making. If this sounds interesting, see our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
The Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for evidence synthesis and the systematic review of research. You will also study social policy and the place of r...
www.ucl.ac.uk
June 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Check out this exciting master's degree option offered by our department!
This is such important work - and great fun!
The JLA is looking for independent consultants to train and work as Advisers!
You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities.
➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R
🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities.
➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R
🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
June 20, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This is such important work - and great fun!
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
The JLA is looking for independent consultants to train and work as Advisers!
You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities.
➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R
🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities.
➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R
🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
June 20, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The JLA is looking for independent consultants to train and work as Advisers!
You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities.
➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R
🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities.
➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R
🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Midwives make a difference! 💙
When women receive care from trusted midwives, they’re more likely to have a positive birth experience—choosing their birth position, moving freely during labour, and having their companion by their side.
NEW guidance: bit.ly/4kShgEQ
When women receive care from trusted midwives, they’re more likely to have a positive birth experience—choosing their birth position, moving freely during labour, and having their companion by their side.
NEW guidance: bit.ly/4kShgEQ
June 19, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Midwives make a difference! 💙
When women receive care from trusted midwives, they’re more likely to have a positive birth experience—choosing their birth position, moving freely during labour, and having their companion by their side.
NEW guidance: bit.ly/4kShgEQ
When women receive care from trusted midwives, they’re more likely to have a positive birth experience—choosing their birth position, moving freely during labour, and having their companion by their side.
NEW guidance: bit.ly/4kShgEQ
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Sigh. LLMs don't lie, because they don't know anything. What all LLMs do, including the latest models, is produce statistically plausible outputs that sometimes resemble the truth and sometimes resemble falsehoods. That's all the tech *can* do www.ft.com/content/2b3c...
‘Godfather’ of AI Yoshua Bengio says latest models lie to users
Turing Award winner warns recent models display dangerous characteristics as he launches LawZero non-profit for safer AI
www.ft.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Sigh. LLMs don't lie, because they don't know anything. What all LLMs do, including the latest models, is produce statistically plausible outputs that sometimes resemble the truth and sometimes resemble falsehoods. That's all the tech *can* do www.ft.com/content/2b3c...
I bought a hard copy - and couldn’t put it down. Definitely a ‘must read’. 👇🏻
📖 PAPERBACK WRITER!! 📚
So thrilled to pick up my new paperback copy of #Unheard from my fabulous editor Katie Ogunsakin at Hachette HQ!
This stunning paperback is out on 3rd July 2025 at the more accessible price of £10.99. Pre-order 👇🏽
www.waterstones.com/book/unheard...
So thrilled to pick up my new paperback copy of #Unheard from my fabulous editor Katie Ogunsakin at Hachette HQ!
This stunning paperback is out on 3rd July 2025 at the more accessible price of £10.99. Pre-order 👇🏽
www.waterstones.com/book/unheard...
June 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I bought a hard copy - and couldn’t put it down. Definitely a ‘must read’. 👇🏻
Many of our students already have an established career in research or policy. So there’s learning for teachers as well as for students during our discussions about evidence for decision-making. If this sounds interesting, see our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
The Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for evidence synthesis and the systematic review of research. You will also study social policy and the place of r...
www.ucl.ac.uk
June 6, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Many of our students already have an established career in research or policy. So there’s learning for teachers as well as for students during our discussions about evidence for decision-making. If this sounds interesting, see our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
An absolute bargain. This is so worth reading!
June 6, 2025 at 7:18 AM
An absolute bargain. This is so worth reading!
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
📚 Can schools help bridge ethnic divides?
This week’s #DEPStudyOfTheWeek from Turkey tested a classroom-based empathy program—and found big social impacts.
Less peer violence, more trust, better integration.
🔗 developmentevidence.3ieimpact.org/search-resul...
This week’s #DEPStudyOfTheWeek from Turkey tested a classroom-based empathy program—and found big social impacts.
Less peer violence, more trust, better integration.
🔗 developmentevidence.3ieimpact.org/search-resul...
May 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
📚 Can schools help bridge ethnic divides?
This week’s #DEPStudyOfTheWeek from Turkey tested a classroom-based empathy program—and found big social impacts.
Less peer violence, more trust, better integration.
🔗 developmentevidence.3ieimpact.org/search-resul...
This week’s #DEPStudyOfTheWeek from Turkey tested a classroom-based empathy program—and found big social impacts.
Less peer violence, more trust, better integration.
🔗 developmentevidence.3ieimpact.org/search-resul...
So sorry to be missing Michael Klintman @hayfestival.bsky.social but I bought his very readable book anyway.
May 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM
So sorry to be missing Michael Klintman @hayfestival.bsky.social but I bought his very readable book anyway.