Bobby Duffy
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social
Director, Policy Institute at King's College London and Chair of the Campaign for Social Science
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
Is imagined immigration is shaping UK politics?
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social for
@lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social for
@lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social
Imagined immigration is shaping our politics | British Politics and Policy at LSE
Immigration has become the number one political priority for the public. But there is one problem: this immigration is imagined, it doesn't really exist.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Is imagined immigration is shaping UK politics?
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social for
@lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social for
@lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
📺 "We've amplified and given more space to more extreme views than we would even a couple of years ago"
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social speaks to BBC News about the drivers behind some of the growing culture war divisions identified in our new study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social speaks to BBC News about the drivers behind some of the growing culture war divisions identified in our new study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 1:17 PM
📺 "We've amplified and given more space to more extreme views than we would even a couple of years ago"
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social speaks to BBC News about the drivers behind some of the growing culture war divisions identified in our new study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social speaks to BBC News about the drivers behind some of the growing culture war divisions identified in our new study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
🔊 "What we've seen is an increase in more extreme rhetoric in social media, media and politics over the last few years...and that more extreme rhetoric does shift views. It gives you a changing view of the norm"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social on the Today programme discussing our new culture wars study
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social on the Today programme discussing our new culture wars study
November 7, 2025 at 10:39 AM
🔊 "What we've seen is an increase in more extreme rhetoric in social media, media and politics over the last few years...and that more extreme rhetoric does shift views. It gives you a changing view of the norm"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social on the Today programme discussing our new culture wars study
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social on the Today programme discussing our new culture wars study
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
Economists Assemble
November 7, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Economists Assemble
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
NEW: Perceptions of division in the UK have reached their highest point since trends began in 2020, while the share who believe the nation is divided by "culture wars" specifically has risen from 46% to 67% today
Our study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social reveals growing culture war tensions 🧵 ⬇️
Our study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social reveals growing culture war tensions 🧵 ⬇️
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
NEW: Perceptions of division in the UK have reached their highest point since trends began in 2020, while the share who believe the nation is divided by "culture wars" specifically has risen from 46% to 67% today
Our study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social reveals growing culture war tensions 🧵 ⬇️
Our study with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social reveals growing culture war tensions 🧵 ⬇️
Having studied immigration attitudes + misperceptions for decades, 3 things stand out:
- they change, but it's so tribal that each side thinks it's settled when it moves in "their" direction
- our misperceptions are a signal of worry as much as a cause
- BUT that doesn't mean facts don't matter...
- they change, but it's so tribal that each side thinks it's settled when it moves in "their" direction
- our misperceptions are a signal of worry as much as a cause
- BUT that doesn't mean facts don't matter...
"So a major driver of immigration becoming such a central societal and political issue is a growing concern about asylum seekers perceived as coming illegally – but this is built on an extraordinarily wrong view of their scale"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
Imagined immigration is shaping our politics | British Politics and Policy at LSE
Enjoying this post? Then sign up to our newsletter and receive a weekly roundup of all our articles. Immigration has become the central issue in British politics. The public now rank it as the most im...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Having studied immigration attitudes + misperceptions for decades, 3 things stand out:
- they change, but it's so tribal that each side thinks it's settled when it moves in "their" direction
- our misperceptions are a signal of worry as much as a cause
- BUT that doesn't mean facts don't matter...
- they change, but it's so tribal that each side thinks it's settled when it moves in "their" direction
- our misperceptions are a signal of worry as much as a cause
- BUT that doesn't mean facts don't matter...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
"So a major driver of immigration becoming such a central societal and political issue is a growing concern about asylum seekers perceived as coming illegally – but this is built on an extraordinarily wrong view of their scale"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
Imagined immigration is shaping our politics | British Politics and Policy at LSE
Enjoying this post? Then sign up to our newsletter and receive a weekly roundup of all our articles. Immigration has become the central issue in British politics. The public now rank it as the most im...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"So a major driver of immigration becoming such a central societal and political issue is a growing concern about asylum seekers perceived as coming illegally – but this is built on an extraordinarily wrong view of their scale"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
💬 The public are "putting an awful lot of hope on the idea of apprenticeships...It’s partly because we’ve been so bad at doing them that people can put all of that hope on to them because they’ve got so little experience of them."
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social quoted in @timeshighered.bsky.social
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social quoted in @timeshighered.bsky.social
Badenoch’s number caps plan would cut 100,000 university places
Tory leader to use conference speech to attack ‘debt trap degrees’ and pledge more money for apprenticeships
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:06 AM
💬 The public are "putting an awful lot of hope on the idea of apprenticeships...It’s partly because we’ve been so bad at doing them that people can put all of that hope on to them because they’ve got so little experience of them."
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social quoted in @timeshighered.bsky.social
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social quoted in @timeshighered.bsky.social
Real mix of university and FE leaders in packed room for panel with Skills Minister on how we need to work together to deliver the skills strategy, great to do this jointly with @et-foundation.bsky.social @hepi-news.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Real mix of university and FE leaders in packed room for panel with Skills Minister on how we need to work together to deliver the skills strategy, great to do this jointly with @et-foundation.bsky.social @hepi-news.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social
Starting in 20 mins in Leonardo hotel, with Minister for Skills Baroness Jacqui Smith, lots to discuss on HE given the week's announcements... @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @hepi-news.bsky.social
🚨Starting soon! 🚨
Join us at 12pm in the Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool, for our discussion on the future of HE and skills, hosted with the Education Training Foundation ⬇️
Join us at 12pm in the Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool, for our discussion on the future of HE and skills, hosted with the Education Training Foundation ⬇️
🌹 TOMORROW: Don't forget to join us Labour party conference as we discuss the future of higher education and skills with our panel featuring skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith ⬇️
September 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Starting in 20 mins in Leonardo hotel, with Minister for Skills Baroness Jacqui Smith, lots to discuss on HE given the week's announcements... @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @hepi-news.bsky.social
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
🚨Starting soon! 🚨
Join us at 12pm in the Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool, for our discussion on the future of HE and skills, hosted with the Education Training Foundation ⬇️
Join us at 12pm in the Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool, for our discussion on the future of HE and skills, hosted with the Education Training Foundation ⬇️
🌹 TOMORROW: Don't forget to join us Labour party conference as we discuss the future of higher education and skills with our panel featuring skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith ⬇️
EVENT | The future of higher education and skills, together
Join us and the Education and Training Foundation at Labour party conference as we hear from HE and skills minister Jacqui Smith and our panel
📅 Tuesday 30 September, 12:00–13:15
📍 Leonardo Hotel Suite 3/4/5, Liverpool
Join us and the Education and Training Foundation at Labour party conference as we hear from HE and skills minister Jacqui Smith and our panel
📅 Tuesday 30 September, 12:00–13:15
📍 Leonardo Hotel Suite 3/4/5, Liverpool
September 30, 2025 at 10:36 AM
🚨Starting soon! 🚨
Join us at 12pm in the Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool, for our discussion on the future of HE and skills, hosted with the Education Training Foundation ⬇️
Join us at 12pm in the Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool, for our discussion on the future of HE and skills, hosted with the Education Training Foundation ⬇️
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
'No such thing as society'? Just 11% support Thatcher's view
'No such thing as society'? Just 11% support Thatcher's view on anniversary of famous interview, study finds
New research tests public attitudes to four influential political statements
buff.ly
September 28, 2025 at 10:36 AM
'No such thing as society'? Just 11% support Thatcher's view
Margaret Thatcher's interview with Woman's Own was this day in 1987 - the furore over the quote annoyed her, as she thought she was getting across subtle Hayekian ideas. These cut-through quotes are rare but interesting - we tested Starmer, Gove and Mandelson versions...
NEW: Just 11% of the public today agree with Margaret Thatcher’s declaration that there is "no such thing as society" – but this rises to 49% among those who are presented with her full quote.
💬❓Our new study tests how context shapes public reaction to four influential political statements ⬇️
💬❓Our new study tests how context shapes public reaction to four influential political statements ⬇️
September 23, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Margaret Thatcher's interview with Woman's Own was this day in 1987 - the furore over the quote annoyed her, as she thought she was getting across subtle Hayekian ideas. These cut-through quotes are rare but interesting - we tested Starmer, Gove and Mandelson versions...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
“Countless experiments show that around 10 per cent of the public don’t understand simple percentages”
— Prof @bobbyduffy.bsky.social, quoted on Peter Kellner’s blog.
kellnerp.substack.com/p/ignorance-...
He could have said one in ten , but I guess Bobby is a take-no-prisoners kind of a guy.
— Prof @bobbyduffy.bsky.social, quoted on Peter Kellner’s blog.
kellnerp.substack.com/p/ignorance-...
He could have said one in ten , but I guess Bobby is a take-no-prisoners kind of a guy.
“Ignorance is Strength”. Was Orwell’s Big Brother right?
Yes – for populists. Parties like Reform rely on voters overstating the scale of today’s problems
kellnerp.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:17 PM
“Countless experiments show that around 10 per cent of the public don’t understand simple percentages”
— Prof @bobbyduffy.bsky.social, quoted on Peter Kellner’s blog.
kellnerp.substack.com/p/ignorance-...
He could have said one in ten , but I guess Bobby is a take-no-prisoners kind of a guy.
— Prof @bobbyduffy.bsky.social, quoted on Peter Kellner’s blog.
kellnerp.substack.com/p/ignorance-...
He could have said one in ten , but I guess Bobby is a take-no-prisoners kind of a guy.
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
🤞 We're delighted to be part of a team that's been nominated for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community in the @timeshighered.bsky.social awards, for our work documenting the impact of the London Living Wage ⬇️
King's College London shortlisted for two Times Higher Education Awards | King's College London
King’s has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) Awards, recognising its leadership in environmental sustainability and commitment to supporting local communit...
www.kcl.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
🤞 We're delighted to be part of a team that's been nominated for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community in the @timeshighered.bsky.social awards, for our work documenting the impact of the London Living Wage ⬇️
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
💡 "There’s substantial evidence of independent benefits on skills development, self-esteem, sense of wellbeing, civic engagement and openness to diversity."
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social spoke to the Guardian about whether it still pays to go to university
➡️ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social spoke to the Guardian about whether it still pays to go to university
➡️ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
September 15, 2025 at 8:59 AM
💡 "There’s substantial evidence of independent benefits on skills development, self-esteem, sense of wellbeing, civic engagement and openness to diversity."
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social spoke to the Guardian about whether it still pays to go to university
➡️ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social spoke to the Guardian about whether it still pays to go to university
➡️ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
🇬🇧 ⚠️ 72% of Reform UK supporters say people like them are powerless to change things in the country – a higher proportion than even non-voters, and well above Conservative and Labour supporters
From our latest study into democratic disconnect in the UK ➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/big-dec...
From our latest study into democratic disconnect in the UK ➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/big-dec...
September 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🇬🇧 ⚠️ 72% of Reform UK supporters say people like them are powerless to change things in the country – a higher proportion than even non-voters, and well above Conservative and Labour supporters
From our latest study into democratic disconnect in the UK ➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/big-dec...
From our latest study into democratic disconnect in the UK ➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/big-dec...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
Out today - which is what I'd call timely - our work with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on who Reform voters and Reform considerers are. And the challenges they'll face keeping this coalition together. Pleasure working with you @luketryl.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/from...
From protest to power? Inside Reform UK's changing support base - UK in a changing Europe
Reform has steadily grown in popularity over the last year and topped More in Common’s vote intention polling since May. This report from UK in a Changing Europe and Reform UK makes clear, however, th...
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 5, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Out today - which is what I'd call timely - our work with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on who Reform voters and Reform considerers are. And the challenges they'll face keeping this coalition together. Pleasure working with you @luketryl.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/from...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
🚨 POLLING ALERT 🚨
We asked more than 4,000 Reform voters what makes them tick. And found 5 segments within a very broad Reform coalition. Many disagree with each other on fundamental issues.
We asked more than 4,000 Reform voters what makes them tick. And found 5 segments within a very broad Reform coalition. Many disagree with each other on fundamental issues.
We’ve just published a unique new study to really understand why more people are considering voting Reform UK
‘Decoding Populism’ was a joint effort with
@yougov.co.uk @policyatkings.bsky.social Faster Horses &
@liambyrnemp.bsky.social
Read it in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9657...
‘Decoding Populism’ was a joint effort with
@yougov.co.uk @policyatkings.bsky.social Faster Horses &
@liambyrnemp.bsky.social
Read it in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9657...
August 8, 2025 at 8:41 PM
🚨 POLLING ALERT 🚨
We asked more than 4,000 Reform voters what makes them tick. And found 5 segments within a very broad Reform coalition. Many disagree with each other on fundamental issues.
We asked more than 4,000 Reform voters what makes them tick. And found 5 segments within a very broad Reform coalition. Many disagree with each other on fundamental issues.
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
We’ve just published a unique new study to really understand why more people are considering voting Reform UK
‘Decoding Populism’ was a joint effort with
@yougov.co.uk @policyatkings.bsky.social Faster Horses &
@liambyrnemp.bsky.social
Read it in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9657...
‘Decoding Populism’ was a joint effort with
@yougov.co.uk @policyatkings.bsky.social Faster Horses &
@liambyrnemp.bsky.social
Read it in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9657...
August 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
We’ve just published a unique new study to really understand why more people are considering voting Reform UK
‘Decoding Populism’ was a joint effort with
@yougov.co.uk @policyatkings.bsky.social Faster Horses &
@liambyrnemp.bsky.social
Read it in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9657...
‘Decoding Populism’ was a joint effort with
@yougov.co.uk @policyatkings.bsky.social Faster Horses &
@liambyrnemp.bsky.social
Read it in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9657...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
📣 Calling all @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social doctoral & postdoctoral researchers - applications are now open for the The King’s Parliamentary Research Internships programme to engage directly with the inner workings of parliament & policy.
➡️ Apply by 17 Aug: kcl.targetconnect.net/user/app/job...
➡️ Apply by 17 Aug: kcl.targetconnect.net/user/app/job...
August 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
📣 Calling all @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social doctoral & postdoctoral researchers - applications are now open for the The King’s Parliamentary Research Internships programme to engage directly with the inner workings of parliament & policy.
➡️ Apply by 17 Aug: kcl.targetconnect.net/user/app/job...
➡️ Apply by 17 Aug: kcl.targetconnect.net/user/app/job...
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
🎙️ New podcast alert!
In episode 1 of the School for Government Podcast, @michael-sanders.bsky.social sits down with Dame Tamara Finkelstein DCB to explore what it takes to make good evidence based policy with lasting impact.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/the-sch...
In episode 1 of the School for Government Podcast, @michael-sanders.bsky.social sits down with Dame Tamara Finkelstein DCB to explore what it takes to make good evidence based policy with lasting impact.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/the-sch...
August 4, 2025 at 7:48 AM
🎙️ New podcast alert!
In episode 1 of the School for Government Podcast, @michael-sanders.bsky.social sits down with Dame Tamara Finkelstein DCB to explore what it takes to make good evidence based policy with lasting impact.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/the-sch...
In episode 1 of the School for Government Podcast, @michael-sanders.bsky.social sits down with Dame Tamara Finkelstein DCB to explore what it takes to make good evidence based policy with lasting impact.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/the-sch...
This is just very poor - and likely affects perceptions: we asked people to estimate what % of prisoners are foreign born in 2017, and average guess in GB was 34%, nearly 3x actual of 12% then (and now!)
Irresponsible to turn non-story into scary sounding headline @benpageresearch.bsky.social
Irresponsible to turn non-story into scary sounding headline @benpageresearch.bsky.social
August 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
This is just very poor - and likely affects perceptions: we asked people to estimate what % of prisoners are foreign born in 2017, and average guess in GB was 34%, nearly 3x actual of 12% then (and now!)
Irresponsible to turn non-story into scary sounding headline @benpageresearch.bsky.social
Irresponsible to turn non-story into scary sounding headline @benpageresearch.bsky.social
Lord Grade on the clearly documented harms to children from online platforms “I don’t know how the tech leaders sleep at night. Maybe they just count the clicks” - key lecture at @strandgroup.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Lord Grade on the clearly documented harms to children from online platforms “I don’t know how the tech leaders sleep at night. Maybe they just count the clicks” - key lecture at @strandgroup.bsky.social @policyatkings.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
Reposted by Bobby Duffy
