Hetan Shah
@hetanshah.bsky.social
Chief Executive, The British Academy
Chair, Our World in Data
Board, National Audit Office
Visiting Professor, Kings College London
Fellow, Birkbeck College
Views my own
Chair, Our World in Data
Board, National Audit Office
Visiting Professor, Kings College London
Fellow, Birkbeck College
Views my own
Pinned
Hetan Shah
@hetanshah.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Tony Blair is wrong – AI will not magically solve our public services
Too many people might be left out of its revolution.
www.newstatesman.com
'Taking the time to do things right isn’t anti-innovation – it is what is required to get deep-rooted change in social systems.'
My piece on AI and public services in this week's @newstatesman.com
www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
My piece on AI and public services in this week's @newstatesman.com
www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
Reposted by Hetan Shah
I'm keen particularly to hear from researchers, academics and practioners with new research and ideas on public services, central government, the courts, economic regulators and other bits of the state we should understand better so please get in touch...
January 5, 2026 at 9:25 PM
I'm keen particularly to hear from researchers, academics and practioners with new research and ideas on public services, central government, the courts, economic regulators and other bits of the state we should understand better so please get in touch...
Reposted by Hetan Shah
‘It is a particularly disorienting aspect of modern life that we construct so much of our identities around our personal brands… with the aim of pleasing not ourselves, not even our loved ones, but the unknowable “general peer”.’
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
Bin the bucket list in 2026
It’s the spontaneous moments that make life rich and exciting, not the ones for which you have sky-high expectations
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:45 PM
‘It is a particularly disorienting aspect of modern life that we construct so much of our identities around our personal brands… with the aim of pleasing not ourselves, not even our loved ones, but the unknowable “general peer”.’
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
Somehow missed this very good @stephenkb.bsky.social variant of a dead parrot sketch www.ft.com/content/91e5...
Labour and Tories are wrecking an election rule of thumb
Time may be up for the assumption in UK politics that incumbent governments get re-elected
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Somehow missed this very good @stephenkb.bsky.social variant of a dead parrot sketch www.ft.com/content/91e5...
1/2 Last year we published a measurement framework for social and cultural infrastructure developed by @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk…
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/value-o...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/value-o...
Value of social and cultural infrastructure ‘risks being neglected in decision-making' without new measurement framework, British Academy report argues
A new report commissioned by the British Academy emphasises the urgent need for policymakers to recognise social and cultural spaces – such as libraries, leisure centres, galleries, and community hubs...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 6:48 PM
1/2 Last year we published a measurement framework for social and cultural infrastructure developed by @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk…
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/value-o...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/value-o...
Great job for a social science research leader: Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills at ESRC @ukri.org - overseeing ESRC's data investments. £94k - £110k.
fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills
Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills | Band X | Open Ended
fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Great job for a social science research leader: Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills at ESRC @ukri.org - overseeing ESRC's data investments. £94k - £110k.
fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Book early for this: our event with Rowan Williams exploring the books that have shaped his life. 3rd March 6.30pm. Free. In person and online
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/the-a...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/the-a...
The books that made me: Lord Rowan Williams FBA
Delve into the books that have shaped and inspired the life and work of Lord Rowan Williams FBA, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, as he sits down with acclaimed broadcaster Ritula Shah.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Book early for this: our event with Rowan Williams exploring the books that have shaped his life. 3rd March 6.30pm. Free. In person and online
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/the-a...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/the-a...
Reposted by Hetan Shah
"Bucket list culture ignores the loveliness of returning again and again to the same place, getting to know the people and the culture and observing how it evolves.
So don’t spend your life going around crossing things off a list to post on social media."
So don’t spend your life going around crossing things off a list to post on social media."
‘It is a particularly disorienting aspect of modern life that we construct so much of our identities around our personal brands… with the aim of pleasing not ourselves, not even our loved ones, but the unknowable “general peer”.’
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
Bin the bucket list in 2026
It’s the spontaneous moments that make life rich and exciting, not the ones for which you have sky-high expectations
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM
"Bucket list culture ignores the loveliness of returning again and again to the same place, getting to know the people and the culture and observing how it evolves.
So don’t spend your life going around crossing things off a list to post on social media."
So don’t spend your life going around crossing things off a list to post on social media."
‘It is a particularly disorienting aspect of modern life that we construct so much of our identities around our personal brands… with the aim of pleasing not ourselves, not even our loved ones, but the unknowable “general peer”.’
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
Bin the bucket list in 2026
It’s the spontaneous moments that make life rich and exciting, not the ones for which you have sky-high expectations
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:45 PM
‘It is a particularly disorienting aspect of modern life that we construct so much of our identities around our personal brands… with the aim of pleasing not ourselves, not even our loved ones, but the unknowable “general peer”.’
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
@jemima.bsky.social on bucket lists
www.ft.com/content/edb1...
Reposted by Hetan Shah
'Despite persistent myths, employment rates for humanities graduates are comparable to those of STEM graduates, as Humanities Indicators data shows. Early earnings differ but the salary gap narrows significantly mid-career, particularly for graduates who pursue further study'. 1/2
How universities can cultivate arts and humanities in practical, affordable ways
Are the arts and humanities still needed as universities retrench staff and cut costs? Patty Raun explains why curtailing or eliminating these disciplines is an egregious mistake
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:46 AM
'Despite persistent myths, employment rates for humanities graduates are comparable to those of STEM graduates, as Humanities Indicators data shows. Early earnings differ but the salary gap narrows significantly mid-career, particularly for graduates who pursue further study'. 1/2
Reposted by Hetan Shah
Feeling increasingly timely that we launched this programme last year. Watch this space for some of the first outputs in the coming weeks…
As we enter a period of major global instability- what The Economist termed ‘the Age of Chaos’ we need new thinking. So I’m delighted to announce this major new programme on Global Disorder, in partnership with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/british...
January 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Feeling increasingly timely that we launched this programme last year. Watch this space for some of the first outputs in the coming weeks…
Reposted by Hetan Shah
Bit of good news - the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, which protects marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, comes into force on 17 January. It has 145 signatories (although the US has not signed up)
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
A half-planet-size gap in global governance is about to get plugged
A new treaty offers hope of curbing the destruction of the oceans
economist.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Bit of good news - the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, which protects marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, comes into force on 17 January. It has 145 signatories (although the US has not signed up)
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
Venezuelan GDP has shrunk by almost 80% since 2013 when Maduro took over. From this helpful profile of him from @jprathbone.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/689b...
www.ft.com/content/689b...
From rising revolutionary to Donald Trump’s captive: Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro
Authoritarian leader withstood previous attempts to oust him but presided over collapse of country’s economy
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Venezuelan GDP has shrunk by almost 80% since 2013 when Maduro took over. From this helpful profile of him from @jprathbone.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/689b...
www.ft.com/content/689b...
Someone finally got to the portrait in the attic
I just watched a clip from an interview with Paul Rudd and he’s finally looking a bit older, I don’t know if this is a good sign or a bad sign!
January 5, 2026 at 6:19 AM
Someone finally got to the portrait in the attic
Reposted by Hetan Shah
Tunnels would create great opportunities for even more convoluted plot lines on the next season of Shetland
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘The answer is dig a hole’: why Scotland’s islanders want tunnels instead of ferries
From Shetland to the Western Isles, campaigners argue ageing ferries are driving depopulation – and undersea tunnels are the only 21st-century solution
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Tunnels would create great opportunities for even more convoluted plot lines on the next season of Shetland
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Bit of good news - the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, which protects marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, comes into force on 17 January. It has 145 signatories (although the US has not signed up)
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
A half-planet-size gap in global governance is about to get plugged
A new treaty offers hope of curbing the destruction of the oceans
economist.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Bit of good news - the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, which protects marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, comes into force on 17 January. It has 145 signatories (although the US has not signed up)
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
Occasionally being well prepared backfires… From a column on ‘How to interview a celebrity’ by Decca Aitkenhead
www.thetimes.com/article/447f...
www.thetimes.com/article/447f...
January 4, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Occasionally being well prepared backfires… From a column on ‘How to interview a celebrity’ by Decca Aitkenhead
www.thetimes.com/article/447f...
www.thetimes.com/article/447f...
Feeling increasingly timely that we launched this programme last year. Watch this space for some of the first outputs in the coming weeks…
As we enter a period of major global instability- what The Economist termed ‘the Age of Chaos’ we need new thinking. So I’m delighted to announce this major new programme on Global Disorder, in partnership with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/british...
January 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Feeling increasingly timely that we launched this programme last year. Watch this space for some of the first outputs in the coming weeks…
Reposted by Hetan Shah
Useful thread of analysis on the US intervention in Venezuela
A key question is ‘whether Trump’s appetite for military adventurism will continue to spread. He has advertised designs on Canada, Panama, Greenland and the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, he implied Mexico was also in his sights’
Quick insight from @edwardluce.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f047cbcd-9...
Quick insight from @edwardluce.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f047cbcd-9...
Trump now owns Venezuela
[FREE TO READ] The US president has a growing appetite for military adventure
as.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Useful thread of analysis on the US intervention in Venezuela
Some useful distinctions here about what drives cost of living issues: wages is only part of it; also asset price inflation and relative cost of services (as they are harder to get productivity gains from - eg let’s have this play but with half the cast)
economist.com/leaders/2025...
economist.com/leaders/2025...
The truth about affordability
Voters in rich countries are angry about prices. Politicians could make things worse
economist.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Some useful distinctions here about what drives cost of living issues: wages is only part of it; also asset price inflation and relative cost of services (as they are harder to get productivity gains from - eg let’s have this play but with half the cast)
economist.com/leaders/2025...
economist.com/leaders/2025...
Feels like a moment when we would all benefit from the power of a Big Sandwich. (From the Guardian list of ways to lift your spirits)
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
January 3, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Feels like a moment when we would all benefit from the power of a Big Sandwich. (From the Guardian list of ways to lift your spirits)
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
A key question is ‘whether Trump’s appetite for military adventurism will continue to spread. He has advertised designs on Canada, Panama, Greenland and the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, he implied Mexico was also in his sights’
Quick insight from @edwardluce.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f047cbcd-9...
Quick insight from @edwardluce.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f047cbcd-9...
Trump now owns Venezuela
[FREE TO READ] The US president has a growing appetite for military adventure
as.ft.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:19 PM
A key question is ‘whether Trump’s appetite for military adventurism will continue to spread. He has advertised designs on Canada, Panama, Greenland and the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, he implied Mexico was also in his sights’
Quick insight from @edwardluce.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f047cbcd-9...
Quick insight from @edwardluce.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f047cbcd-9...
I do agree with the British Academy paper that we've "tried" a lot of things since then to close regional divides, none of which were big enough, or the right things, for us to expect them to work. But ours was not, I don't think, a bad starting point at all.
January 3, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Hetan Shah
I do agree with the British Academy paper that we've "tried" a lot of things since then to close regional divides, none of which were big enough, or the right things, for us to expect them to work. But ours was not, I don't think, a bad starting point at all.
January 3, 2026 at 7:42 PM
I do agree with the British Academy paper that we've "tried" a lot of things since then to close regional divides, none of which were big enough, or the right things, for us to expect them to work. But ours was not, I don't think, a bad starting point at all.
Tunnels would create great opportunities for even more convoluted plot lines on the next season of Shetland
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘The answer is dig a hole’: why Scotland’s islanders want tunnels instead of ferries
From Shetland to the Western Isles, campaigners argue ageing ferries are driving depopulation – and undersea tunnels are the only 21st-century solution
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Tunnels would create great opportunities for even more convoluted plot lines on the next season of Shetland
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Distract yourself with this. The Japanese dating app Pairs includes your blood group. Korean version makes it mandatory for men to have their employer verify where they work. In Singapore, the app CMB links to national ID data, hitting married men pretending to be single
www.ft.com/content/6269...
www.ft.com/content/6269...
Dating apps turn to Asia as swipe-right fatigue takes hold in the west
Rising numbers of ‘goal-orientated’ women are using the apps as stigma over online dating fades
www.ft.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Distract yourself with this. The Japanese dating app Pairs includes your blood group. Korean version makes it mandatory for men to have their employer verify where they work. In Singapore, the app CMB links to national ID data, hitting married men pretending to be single
www.ft.com/content/6269...
www.ft.com/content/6269...