Simon Hanson
banner
simonhanson.bsky.social
Simon Hanson
@simonhanson.bsky.social
Curious about new models of public service delivery | Heading up an Economic Development and Delivery Unit at Gateshead Council | Developing a new mission based approach
Reposted by Simon Hanson
From pubs to populism: what the decline of community space means for democracy

Rosa Marks explores how rebuilding social & cultural infrastructure can help reverse the UK’s slide into distrust, division & populist politics?

www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/social-...
@britishacademy.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
The government might also look to find its storytellers, as I argued in relation to the missions a couple of years ago medium.com/@joshwesterl...
July 19, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
Paris urban biking DOUBLED in just one year.

“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”
Paris cycling numbers double in one year thanks to massive investment and it's not stopping
The report delves into the nuances of Parisian cycling culture, exploring the vibrant community of riders who navigate the city's streets
momentummag.com
July 19, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
For weekend readers: I wrote a long read on Labour’s five missions for Sam Freedman’s Substack to mark a year since the 2024 UK General Election. How’s it going, why does Whitehall find missions difficult, and how could Labour be bolder?
samf.substack.com/p/why-are-mi...
@samfr.bsky.social
1/n
Why are "missions" proving so difficult?
We have a guest post today from James Plunkett.
samf.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
It’s a year today since the 2024 UK General Election, so I’ve written a guest post for Sam Freedman’s Substack on Labour’s five missions.
How’s it going, why does Whitehall find this stuff difficult, and how could they be bolder?
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w.... (1/n)
Why are "missions" proving so difficult?
We have a guest post today from James Plunkett.
open.substack.com
July 4, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
We are offering one year innovation fellowships of up to £120k for researchers to work with central government on sustainability issues. And there’s a webinar on 3rd July with more info
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/inno...
Innovation Fellowships 2024-25 – Route B: Policy-led (Sustainable Futures)
The Innovation Fellowships is a dual route scheme, consisting of Route A: Researcher-led and Route B: Policy-led. The Innovation Fellowships – Route B: Policy-Led (Sustainable Futures) Fellows will wo...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
June 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
Seeing like a place. A weekend share of this. Some reflections from great summit on child poverty last week. More local approaches can be more intelligent and intentional, but can they rise to the gravity of the political moment?

medium.com/@jamestplunk...
Seeing like a place
Place-based work can be smarter and less bureaucratic, but can it rise to the political moment?
medium.com
June 28, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
New thing klaxon! How do you know if your organisation is mission-driven? Today we’re releasing a mission maturity framework I’ve co-authored with @danhonig.bsky.social and Vinuri Dissanaya at Georgetown Better Government Lab in collaboration with Nesta. Link: www.nesta.org.uk/report/on-mi.... 1/n
www.nesta.org.uk
June 20, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
Headline thoughts on the Spending Review, with a focus on the urgent task of reforming the state. shorturl.at/56Yed

Full post here: medium.com/@jamestplunk...
I shared some thoughts on the Spending Review, focused on reform of the state. | James Plunkett
I shared some thoughts on the Spending Review, focused on reform of the state. Key points: ✅ Overall: the reform agenda is moving in the right direction, and gaining momentum. In some ways the SR is...
www.linkedin.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
I'm part of a great crew down the #RNLI Tynemouth station. We are looking for a volunteer to help a key role to help with launches 👇🛟🌊🚤🦺
volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/laun...
Launch Authority - Tynemouth
volunteering.rnli.org
June 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
It's time to start looking for work. It's always hard to describe what I do and the type of thing/s I am looking for so I spent some proper time thinking about it, writing it down and getting feedback on it.

blog.annkempster.com/available-fo...

Have a read, get in touch.
Available for work
As you may know, I’ve finished my role at TPXimpact as a Senior Partner, managing a portfolio of clients and projects across Wales. I’ve had some time off, can’t claim it has been particularly relaxin...
blog.annkempster.com
June 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
🚨 EVENT KLAXON! 🚨

The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* ​Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team

Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
TransformGov Talks : Fifth event · Luma
For our next event we have the following two excellent speakers. Catherine Day, Cabinet Office, on the cross-government participatory methods forum The Cabinet…
lu.ma
April 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
A special edition of my newsletter focused on the Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team vacancies (and principles).

@karakane-kk.bsky.social

newsletter.digitalbydefault.jobs/internet-of-...
Internet of Public Service Jobs - Test/Learn/Grow
This is a special edition supporting the Cabinet Office's Test, Learn and Grow team with their recruitment campaign. I have nothing to do with the team in any capacity and nobody asked me to do it but...
newsletter.digitalbydefault.jobs
March 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
I am dropping this on Bluesky first since I think this is the place to be.

This is my 1,111th Streetfilm so it's a cool numerical milestone! But even better this is a great 15 minute film and definitely consider one of my Top Ten.

For my birthday give it a play! #Urbanism

youtu.be/VSN1BR6es6E
Ghent Kicked Out the Cars So You Can Walk, Bike, Live & Thrive in the City (Velo-City 2024)
YouTube video by Streetfilms®
youtu.be
March 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
I think we all need good news stories
March 23, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
NEW from @jrf-uk.bsky.social

Much has been made of the pressure on public finances.

Household finances remain the elephant in the room.

If OBR adjust their Mar forecast in line with the BoE in Feb, it will see the average family £1,400/yr worse off by 2030, compared with today.

Thread.
March 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
We are looking for a Senior Fellow to join our team.

You'll design and deliver a range of research and influencing activities on public health and prevention, supporting our work on improving health and reducing inequalities.

Find out more and apply by 23.59 on 14 April ⬇️

buff.ly/7fZt9QU
March 15, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
WATCH: “You really get the idea that people are the boss on the street, & not machines.” Watch a GREAT mini-film on one of the most inspiring world cities, #Utrecht Netherlands, via exceptional urban film-maker @streetfilms.bsky.social with @modacitylife.com @bicycledutch.bsky.social & more. #Dutch
Utrecht: Planning for People & Bikes, Not for Cars
YouTube video by Streetfilms®
www.youtube.com
March 15, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
The Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team are hiring 11 roles across product, delivery management, data analysis and design. Come work with us on public sector reform! www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cg...
Quick Check NeededGOV.UK
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
March 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
🚨 Hiring news! 🚨 I’m looking to hire five really important new roles. Each will lead a major new innovation programme to tackle one of five major national challenges.
March 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
Fed up with what’s going on in the world but still wanna change it? Come and work with us…
We're hiring two key leadership roles at New Local!

🌠 Director of Partnerships & Engagement – Lead our membership, events & comms.
🌠 Director of Practice & Programmes – Drive impact in consultancy, research & policy.

💰 £80K | ⏳ Apply by 14 April, 9am → www.newlocal.org.uk/about/jobs/
Jobs - New Local
Find the latest job vacancies at New Local, a think tank and network with a mission to unlock community power.
www.newlocal.org.uk
March 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
About The Garden of Ideas, an exhibit by Einar Sneve Martinussen, Joakim Formo, me + AHO students: a pop-up student-led studio prototyping the idea of every neighbourhood having a place to collectively imagine, discuss and prototype the future of the neighbourhood
medium.com/dark-matter-...
A Garden of Ideas
An exhibit for the Oslo Architecture Trienniale 2022, about neighbourhood spaces for reworking the neighbourhood.
medium.com
March 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Simon Hanson
Dammit. Someone nicked our cute lil yellow Yoonit. A mini cargo bike.

Share around, and keep an eye out around Edinburgh. Shout at @cargobikemovement.bsky.social if you see it. Let's make this thing too hot to handle.

Bike theft is the worst. Bike theft from a CHARITY is something else 😤
March 1, 2025 at 7:54 PM