Owen Jackson
@owenjackson.bsky.social
Policy 📑 | Science 💉 | Sport 🏈🏏🏉
Director of Policy
Trustee, 93% Club
Reposts ≠ endorsements, views my own
Director of Policy
Trustee, 93% Club
Reposts ≠ endorsements, views my own
Who wrote this headline? Peter Mannion? Alan Partridge? www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Brand Britain has bounced back
Despite all the gloom at home, the country’s reputation is surprisingly bright
www.economist.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Who wrote this headline? Peter Mannion? Alan Partridge? www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Shocking, but not surprising. The inevitable (?) unwinding of cross-subsidy between international student fees and domestic teaching and research will be painful for HE sector.
'Nottingham put part of the blame for the continued financial uncertainty on the proposed international student fee levy, pointing out that it will “wipe out any benefits” that will come from the Westminster government’s recent decision to link fees to inflation.' 3/3
November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Shocking, but not surprising. The inevitable (?) unwinding of cross-subsidy between international student fees and domestic teaching and research will be painful for HE sector.
Reposted by Owen Jackson
There was a prominent article on the BBC home page recently exploring, with a particular angle, political views within town(s). By the number of people who sent me a link, I think you'll know the one I'm referring to!
🧵 1/n
🧵 1/n
November 5, 2025 at 10:49 AM
There was a prominent article on the BBC home page recently exploring, with a particular angle, political views within town(s). By the number of people who sent me a link, I think you'll know the one I'm referring to!
🧵 1/n
🧵 1/n
Having recently moved from one large, wealthy greater SE town to a smaller, less wealthy greater SE town, this has been my experience too. "Local" groups on social media platforms are the full smorgasbord of content - lots great, lots horrible, lots of power dynamics.
Disinformation swirls; bandwagons are jumped; kudos given to the hottest take; views rarely called out. It's a place where power playing is obvious. The combination of general disaffection, older population, racist or extreme views & power struggles in local groups creates certain conditions.
November 5, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Having recently moved from one large, wealthy greater SE town to a smaller, less wealthy greater SE town, this has been my experience too. "Local" groups on social media platforms are the full smorgasbord of content - lots great, lots horrible, lots of power dynamics.
Reposted by Owen Jackson
"What do you mean? We gave them TEN MILLION DOLLARS and they are using JOHN DEERE EXCAVATORS??!"
October 24, 2025 at 8:22 AM
"What do you mean? We gave them TEN MILLION DOLLARS and they are using JOHN DEERE EXCAVATORS??!"
Well there definitely isn't anything problematic here.
Disappointingly, the picture on the article suggests Caterpillar Inc aren't able to claim their payment is in the form of Gifts in Kind
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Disappointingly, the picture on the article suggests Caterpillar Inc aren't able to claim their payment is in the form of Gifts in Kind
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Who is paying for Donald Trump's new White House ballroom?
A former White House chief ethics lawyer described the ballroom donations as an ethical
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Well there definitely isn't anything problematic here.
Disappointingly, the picture on the article suggests Caterpillar Inc aren't able to claim their payment is in the form of Gifts in Kind
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Disappointingly, the picture on the article suggests Caterpillar Inc aren't able to claim their payment is in the form of Gifts in Kind
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Exciting post this morning! @markcooperjones.bsky.social @jayforeman.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Exciting post this morning! @markcooperjones.bsky.social @jayforeman.bsky.social
The vox pop quote on this story about a bridge collapsing is just too on the nose. Perfect, no notes
October 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The vox pop quote on this story about a bridge collapsing is just too on the nose. Perfect, no notes
Starting to feel like we're into the interminable greyness of mid- to late-autumn. If that makes you feel as jaded as it does me, here is a photo I took last weekend
October 16, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Starting to feel like we're into the interminable greyness of mid- to late-autumn. If that makes you feel as jaded as it does me, here is a photo I took last weekend
Reposted by Owen Jackson
Windows 10 goes out of support today. My fave useless fact about w10 is that the iconic blue desktop background is a *photograph* - not CGI.
Tiny 'making of' vid here - youtu.be/_2RacX9DgWM...
Tiny 'making of' vid here - youtu.be/_2RacX9DgWM...
October 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Windows 10 goes out of support today. My fave useless fact about w10 is that the iconic blue desktop background is a *photograph* - not CGI.
Tiny 'making of' vid here - youtu.be/_2RacX9DgWM...
Tiny 'making of' vid here - youtu.be/_2RacX9DgWM...
Really important stuff coming out of ONS and NHSE, and fully agree with @thekingsfund.bsky.social commentary linked in thread below. Let's see how data linking can help address upstream health and wellbeing through better prevention.
1/3. A ground-breaking paper, & commentary, on @thekingsfund.bsky.social website today - using linked data on the connection between #health & #economy from @nhsengland.bsky.social & ONS on the economic #payback from meeting waiting list targets. Paper assets.kingsfund.org.uk/f/256914/x/6...
October 7, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Really important stuff coming out of ONS and NHSE, and fully agree with @thekingsfund.bsky.social commentary linked in thread below. Let's see how data linking can help address upstream health and wellbeing through better prevention.
This morning is a hard day to be an Arizona Cardinals fan
October 6, 2025 at 7:12 AM
This morning is a hard day to be an Arizona Cardinals fan
Do you work in a public sector leadership role? Are you grappling with how AI is changing your area of responsibility? Do you need to upskill yourself to deal with these challenges?
Applications open today for @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social AI Policy Fellowships
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/co...
Applications open today for @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social AI Policy Fellowships
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/co...
Fellowships
The Imperial AI Policy Fellowship is a unique development programme designed to support senior civil servants in understanding the role and impact of...
www.imperial.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Do you work in a public sector leadership role? Are you grappling with how AI is changing your area of responsibility? Do you need to upskill yourself to deal with these challenges?
Applications open today for @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social AI Policy Fellowships
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/co...
Applications open today for @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social AI Policy Fellowships
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/co...
So today is National Poetry Day!
I'm prosaic so have no great insights to share myself.
However, I've just found out one of my new colleagues at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, Jack Cooper, is a real honest-to-goodness poet! So below is one of his:
www.jackcooperpoet.com
@tamarindlit.co.uk
I'm prosaic so have no great insights to share myself.
However, I've just found out one of my new colleagues at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, Jack Cooper, is a real honest-to-goodness poet! So below is one of his:
www.jackcooperpoet.com
@tamarindlit.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 9:52 AM
So today is National Poetry Day!
I'm prosaic so have no great insights to share myself.
However, I've just found out one of my new colleagues at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, Jack Cooper, is a real honest-to-goodness poet! So below is one of his:
www.jackcooperpoet.com
@tamarindlit.co.uk
I'm prosaic so have no great insights to share myself.
However, I've just found out one of my new colleagues at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, Jack Cooper, is a real honest-to-goodness poet! So below is one of his:
www.jackcooperpoet.com
@tamarindlit.co.uk
Reposted by Owen Jackson
This vagueness is a key tactic. If Farage outright rejected the anti-vax conspiracy he’d risk losing those voters; if he embraced it, he’d alienate moderates. By staying “open-minded” he signals to everyone that he’s on their side.
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
This vagueness is a key tactic. If Farage outright rejected the anti-vax conspiracy he’d risk losing those voters; if he embraced it, he’d alienate moderates. By staying “open-minded” he signals to everyone that he’s on their side.
I'm struggling to get wound up by a Minister for Business saying "I think it would be good for UK graduates to be more entrepreneurial". Sounds pretty sensible to me. Maybe I'm insufficiently Bluesky-brained today.
September 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I'm struggling to get wound up by a Minister for Business saying "I think it would be good for UK graduates to be more entrepreneurial". Sounds pretty sensible to me. Maybe I'm insufficiently Bluesky-brained today.
Reposted by Owen Jackson
First Past the Post cannot handle this level of fragmentation. It will produce completely freak results.
We can grasp this problem now, or wait for the train to crash.
We can grasp this problem now, or wait for the train to crash.
5 parties on more than 12%, winner gains seat with under 30%. Results like this used to be rare, freak outliers. Now they are routine (there was a second just like this yesterday). Electoral chaos.
Newmarket East (West Suffolk) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 29.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 25.0% (+4.1)
🔶 LDM: 17.2% (-3.1)
🌹 LAB: 15.3% (-8.3)
🌍 GRN: 12.8% (New)
No WSI (-19.2) or Ind (-16.1) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
➡️ RFM: 29.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 25.0% (+4.1)
🔶 LDM: 17.2% (-3.1)
🌹 LAB: 15.3% (-8.3)
🌍 GRN: 12.8% (New)
No WSI (-19.2) or Ind (-16.1) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
September 12, 2025 at 8:07 AM
First Past the Post cannot handle this level of fragmentation. It will produce completely freak results.
We can grasp this problem now, or wait for the train to crash.
We can grasp this problem now, or wait for the train to crash.
Moving jobs is always a bit of a mishmash of life admin to sort. One that I actively enjoy is re-establishing my Payroll Giving.
If you don't already use it (sometimes called GAYE), please do think about whether you can. It makes a big difference to charities to have reliable income.
If you don't already use it (sometimes called GAYE), please do think about whether you can. It makes a big difference to charities to have reliable income.
September 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Moving jobs is always a bit of a mishmash of life admin to sort. One that I actively enjoy is re-establishing my Payroll Giving.
If you don't already use it (sometimes called GAYE), please do think about whether you can. It makes a big difference to charities to have reliable income.
If you don't already use it (sometimes called GAYE), please do think about whether you can. It makes a big difference to charities to have reliable income.
This is disappointing and should absolutely be a signal to policymakers about the state of the life sciences market in the UK
Merck aren't as significant as some of the other players in the UK, but global boardrooms are not impressed with UK life sci policy at the moment
www.ft.com/content/5ace...
Merck aren't as significant as some of the other players in the UK, but global boardrooms are not impressed with UK life sci policy at the moment
www.ft.com/content/5ace...
Merck slams UK as it scraps £1bn London drug research centre
US company says country is ‘not internationally competitive’ and lays off 125 staff
www.ft.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
This is disappointing and should absolutely be a signal to policymakers about the state of the life sciences market in the UK
Merck aren't as significant as some of the other players in the UK, but global boardrooms are not impressed with UK life sci policy at the moment
www.ft.com/content/5ace...
Merck aren't as significant as some of the other players in the UK, but global boardrooms are not impressed with UK life sci policy at the moment
www.ft.com/content/5ace...
Reposted by Owen Jackson
The only sensible reaction to a political assassination is "political assassinations are bad - full stop".
September 11, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The only sensible reaction to a political assassination is "political assassinations are bad - full stop".
Very good article, this.
RFK Jr has vowed to find out what’s responsible for the rise in autism diagnoses, but scientists say he is ignoring answers from decades of research
go.nature.com/4mpLpeF
go.nature.com/4mpLpeF
Autism is on the rise: what’s really behind the increase?
Nature - RFK Jr has vowed to find out what’s responsible, but scientists say he is ignoring answers from decades of research.
go.nature.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Very good article, this.
Reposted by Owen Jackson
Ok, you can get to the files from The Oversight Committee site.
Warning: It is not easy reading. oversight.house.gov/release/over...
Warning: It is not easy reading. oversight.house.gov/release/over...
September 9, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Ok, you can get to the files from The Oversight Committee site.
Warning: It is not easy reading. oversight.house.gov/release/over...
Warning: It is not easy reading. oversight.house.gov/release/over...
End of an era.
Who would be a good replacement for Bragg? Needs a bit of a "renaissance" figure. My two ideas - David Willetts or Hannah Fry.
Who would be a good replacement for Bragg? Needs a bit of a "renaissance" figure. My two ideas - David Willetts or Hannah Fry.
Melvyn Bragg has been one of the last standard-bearers for a really important, and unfashionable, idea: that good conversation, between people who really know their stuff, on complex or difficult subjects, can be fantastic radio - and that the national broadcaster should do this.
I hope it endures.
I hope it endures.
Melvyn Bragg has decided to stand down as host of In Our Time, the BBC says.
September 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
End of an era.
Who would be a good replacement for Bragg? Needs a bit of a "renaissance" figure. My two ideas - David Willetts or Hannah Fry.
Who would be a good replacement for Bragg? Needs a bit of a "renaissance" figure. My two ideas - David Willetts or Hannah Fry.
Reposted by Owen Jackson
When my wife annoys me, the next time I make her a sandwich, I'll make the two slices of bread "point" in opposite directions knowing full well she'll hate the lack of symmetry but can't exactly complain about something made for her.
August 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM
When my wife annoys me, the next time I make her a sandwich, I'll make the two slices of bread "point" in opposite directions knowing full well she'll hate the lack of symmetry but can't exactly complain about something made for her.
From 1 September I will be starting a new role as the inaugural Director of the Imperial Policy Forum at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
I've spent much of my career working w/ academia. Looking forward to working within a university for the first time since my PhD.
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/
I've spent much of my career working w/ academia. Looking forward to working within a university for the first time since my PhD.
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/
July 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
From 1 September I will be starting a new role as the inaugural Director of the Imperial Policy Forum at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
I've spent much of my career working w/ academia. Looking forward to working within a university for the first time since my PhD.
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/
I've spent much of my career working w/ academia. Looking forward to working within a university for the first time since my PhD.
www.imperial.ac.uk/the-forum/