Michael Sanders
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michael-sanders.bsky.social
Michael Sanders
@michael-sanders.bsky.social
590 followers 88 following 55 posts
Professor of Public Policy and Director of Experimental Government, Policy Institute at King's. Director, School for Government at King's, Expert Advisor, Centre for Homelessness Impact. Chair, Nightline Association. Incorrigible Busybody.
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michael-sanders.bsky.social
I am mad! But I’m also fanpersoning that @statmodeling.bsky.social has mentioned me on his blog!
November 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
EVENT | Dame Tamara Finkelstein DCB: in conversation

Join @schoolforgovt.bsky.social, @michael-sanders.bsky.social and us to hear from one of the UK’s most experienced former civil servants, as she reflects on policymaking in an age of uncertainty

➡️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dame...
November 16, 2025 at 11:04 AM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
Great to launch our new book on the use of randomised controlled trials in children's social care last night @schoolforgovt.bsky.social with Dave Westlake, Sarah Taylor, Isabelle Trowler and Vanessa Hirneis!
schoolforgovt.bsky.social School for Government @schoolforgovt.bsky.social · 19d
"in a field as complex as children's social care it might even be more important to figure out what doesn't work"

Yesterday, Vanessa Hirneis on her & @michael-sanders.bsky.social's new book - Using randomised trials to improve children's social care

📺➡️ youtu.be/z4DiNihhG5o
November 4, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
schoolforgovt.bsky.social
A full house tonight with @policyatkings.bsky.social, Lord Peter Hain, and Baroness Patricia Scotland to discuss Lord Hain's new book which explores why movements born from ideals of justice often succumb to bad governance and corruption once in power

📺 Watch live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_4D...
October 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
schoolforgovt.bsky.social
"Research shows that many successful interventions, even when low-cost, fail to scale"

In our latest blog, @michael-sanders.bsky.social and Vanessa Hirneis reflect on their experience of scaling up a range of successful interventions over the past 18 months.

➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/turning...
October 14, 2025 at 8:56 AM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
18 months ago we embarked on a mission to scale some low cost interventions using our own money - here’s what we’ve learned so far.
schoolforgovt.bsky.social School for Government @schoolforgovt.bsky.social · Oct 14
"Research shows that many successful interventions, even when low-cost, fail to scale"

In our latest blog, @michael-sanders.bsky.social and Vanessa Hirneis reflect on their experience of scaling up a range of successful interventions over the past 18 months.

➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/turning...
October 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
EVENT: Using randomised trial to improve children's social care

Join us, @schoolforgovt.bsky.social & expert panellists to discuss insights from @michael-sanders.bsky.social & Vanessa Hirneis' new book on developing interventions for vulnerable children and families

➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/events/using...
October 13, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
calummillerld.bsky.social
It’s good to see the PM finally listening to Liberal Democrat calls to seize the billions in frozen Russian assets tied up here in the UK to help arm Ukraine.

This must now happen rapidly. With our European allies we must use these assets to strengthen Ukraine’s hand and ramp up pressure on Putin.
Joint E3 leaders statement: 10 October 2025
The leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom spoke today following the significant developments in the Middle East.
www.gov.uk
October 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
"Students at King’s College London with similar upbringings will write to disadvantaged teenagers to share their stories and challenge perceptions that university is only for the privileged".

The Independent on work led by @michael-sanders.bsky.social ⬇️
Disadvantaged pupils to get letters encouraging them to apply to university
Nearly 10,000 teenagers at schools and colleges with low higher education progression rates will receive letters from current university students.
www.independent.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
eddavey.libdems.org.uk
I've written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday.

As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions.
Letter from Ed Davey to Keir Starmer condemning Elon Musk for inciting violence and urging unity to defend democracy.
September 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
Brilliant new colleagues have joined King’s School for Government this year!
schoolforgovt.bsky.social School for Government @schoolforgovt.bsky.social · Sep 12
📣 We're delighted to announce three new staff members at the School for Government!

💡 Dr Kate Hoskins joins us as Reader in Public Policy & Deputy Director of the School; Dr Gloria Novovic, PhD is our new Lecturer in Public Policy; & Joseph Sherlock joins as Lecturer.

Find out more about them ⬇️
School for Government welcomes new staff, including Deputy Director | King's College London
New appointments bring further expertise in education policy, global governance, and behavioural science
www.kcl.ac.uk
September 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
schoolforgovt.bsky.social
The conference follows our event last night with Yuval Feldman, @sanchayanbanerj.bsky.social, @michael-sanders.bsky.social & Elisabeth Costa – "Can the public be trusted?" – exploring why governments rely on coercion and punishment when voluntary cooperation often produces better outcomes
Can the public be trusted? With Yuval Feldman
YouTube video by The Policy Institute at King's College London
www.youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:05 AM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
Does creating new ministerial post in "Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister" + cap on numbers of paid ministers mean that we won't be getting a new homelessness minister anytime soon? @samfr.bsky.social @anandmenon.bsky.social @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
calummillerld.bsky.social
As famine deepens and hostages remain in captivity, the Israeli Government expands settlements and escalates its assault on Gaza.

I’ve written to the Foreign Secretary urging sanctions, an arms ban and a ban on trade with illegal settlements.
Dear David, As the world's attention shifted in August to the war in Ukraine, conditions in Gaza have only worsened. I am writingtoday, before Parliament returns on Monday. Much has happened since your statement on 21 July and none of it has been in the direction we hoped for. Last week, we saw Israeli forces begin an assault on Gaza City and the IPC declaring famine in Gaza for the first time. Meanwhile, the 5 September will mark 700 days of captivity for the hostages still held by the Hamas terrorists. This situation is utterly intolerable. In the context of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe and the plight of the hostages in Gaza, we must redouble our focus on empowering the moderates in both Palestinian and Israeli society, while drawing power away from the extremes. That task is all the more important as we now look towards the UN General Assembly Session in September. Opposition politicians in Israel have roundly condemned the new military operation in Gaza City. They state their belief that it will endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, despite the claims of the Netanyahu cabinet that the operation has their release and recovery as an objective. Meanwhile, the restarting of settlement building in the E1 area of the West Bank will further erode the territorial basis for the Palestinian state - recognition of which the Government has made conditional on steps by Israel to alleviate suffering in Gaza. It is clear that the Netanyahu cabinet continues egregiously to violate international and humanitarian law, across both Gaza and the West Bank. Yet the UK has been reluctant to apply any genuine pressure on the Israeli Government to stop these violations across the Occupied Territories - or to publicly call on President Trump to do the same. In light of these continuing violations, I ask you - once again - whether you will consider implementing Liberal Democrat calls to: • Sanction Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Cabinet Ministers for continuing to block the full reopening of aid into Gaza and expanding the military campaign there? • Ban the export of all UK arms to Israel, including taking steps to isolate and withhold those UK-produced F-35 components that are being used to supply or service jets used by the Israeli Government? • Ban trade with all illegal Israeli settlements across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, ensuring that UK businesses cannot contribute to supporting the development of these settlements? Liberal Democrats have consistently said that the remaining hostages must be released without condition. We have also been clear that Hamas can have no part in the future government of Palestine. The future of a Palestinian state depends on steps to strengthen governance by the Palestinian Authority and a government that rejects the use of terrorism to achieve its goals. I look forward to your response, as well as the opportunity to raise these issues with you at next week's Foreign Office oral questions. Yours sincerely, Calum Miller MP Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
August 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
Catch up on our report with @hepi-news.bsky.social, out yesterday, which looks at public misperceptions of higher education ⬇️

👩‍🎓 The public hugely overestimate how many graduates regret going to university and significantly underestimate the importance of higher education to the UK economy 📈
Public hugely overestimate graduate regret while underestimating economic value of universities and being wrong on tuition fees – new study
People guess that 40% of graduates wouldn't go to university if they could choose again, when the reality is just 8%
www.kcl.ac.uk
August 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
I for one find it disgraceful that we don’t have an answer on what really happened to Sisko, and this traitor gets a whole movie.
August 14, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
🚨 Closing soon! 🚨

📣 PhD and postdoctoral researchers at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social: get your applications in for our Parliamentary Research Internship programme by 17 August

📺 Hear from recent interns about this unique opportunity to contribute to the work of peers in the House of Lords ⬇️
August 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
In the latest issue of Significance magazine, our @johnnyrunge.bsky.social explores how the general public are using statistics from a variety of (not necessarily reliable) online sources when making big life decisions from baby names to house moves.

➡️ academic.oup.com/jrssig/artic...
The hidden use of statistics
Abstract. The general public grabs statistics from a variety of not necessarily reliable online sources when making big life decisions from baby names to h
academic.oup.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:56 AM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
Excited to be launching our brand new podcast with an interview with policy heavyweight Tamara Finkelstein!
schoolforgovt.bsky.social School for Government @schoolforgovt.bsky.social · Aug 4
🎙️ 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...
August 4, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
policyatkings.bsky.social
EVENT: Can the public be trusted? With Yuval Feldman

Join us, @yuval-feldman.bsky.social, @michael-sanders.bsky.social, Elisabeth Costa & @sanchayanbanerj.bsky.social to explore how trust-based approaches could help solve major challenges facing governments today

➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/events/can-t...
July 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
If you're going to use AI to draft your job application...don't. The outputs I'm seeing in job sifts are horribly generic. But if you're going to use AI, don't be an idiot. Don't copy and paste the entire thing from AI, including "ChatGPT said..." - it's a real giveaway.
July 6, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
timleunig.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/busines... <<< Me in @observeruk.bsky.social on why international students are important to UK prosperity and should be in the Industrial Policy.
Boosting foreign students must be part of the industrial ...
As the UK’s fourth largest export industry, universities are a missed opportunity in the government’s plan
observer.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Michael Sanders
schoolforgovt.bsky.social
"the rock solid scientific basis of the work just wasn't there in this case"

@michael-sanders.bsky.social on the consequences of working with major behavioural science research that has since been found to be dishonest

➡️ More in the @thetimes.com : www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
June 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
Whether you agree with his conclusion or not, it is hard not to be proud to have @calummillerld.bsky.social as the MP in Bicester and Woodstock who will take such time and thought in deliberating over such an important issue, and take the time to explain his reasoning.
calummillerld.bsky.social Calum Miller @calummillerld.bsky.social · Jun 19
Ahead of the third reading tomorrow for the Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill, I have sent my constituents this letter to explain the process and how I will be voting. 1/2
Dear residents of Bicester, Kidlington, Woodstock and our villages, Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill: Third Reading On Friday, as MPs, we expect to vote on the Third reading of the Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill. Thank you so much to the many, many constituents who have written to me to express your views about this important and deeply emotive topic. I am very grateful to you for sharing your experiences and those of your loved ones. I take very seriously the responsibility that I – and all MPs – now share in voting on this bill. In advance of the second reading of the bill (when MPs vote on the principles of the bill), I wrote to you to set out the reasons for my decision to vote against. The bill was passed at that stage by 330 votes to 275. I committed that I would listen carefully to the evolving views of my constituents and that I would take the opportunity to hear more about how the bill would be implemented. The development of the bill Since second reading, the bill committee has sat for long hours and considered hundreds of amendments to the bill. I want to thank publicly my colleagues on that committee from all parties who have devoted so much time to the careful consideration of these matters. They have truly done an act of public service and – even when I disagree with some of their views – I remain thankful for their work. Over the last five weeks, we have had two long debates in the House of Commons on some of the amendments to the bill. It was my privilege to speak on Friday 13 June to call for increased focus on palliative care. This Friday (20 June), we will finally have the chance to vote on the bill at the third reading. If it is carried, the bill will then go to House of Lords for its consideration so it is not the end of the process, but is still a very significant step. The decision MPs need to take The arguments for this bill have been widely debated. At its simplest the argument put by those who propose the bill is tha… However, as MPs our job is not only to listen to hard cases. We have to evaluate what they tell us about the state of the world and how it could best be improved for the greatest number of people. We need to be both big-hearted and hard-headed. We have to make sure that, in our well-intentioned effort to respond to the powerful examples given to us, we fully understand both the lessons we can take from them and the consequences our decisions might have for other people, not immediately affected by our actions. Access to palliative care As I set out at second reading, my first concern was that palliative care in England and Wales is not sufficiently available to offer all people at end of life a true choice between effective palliative care. Given this, we cannot readily say that all people will be offered a free choice between palliative care and an assisted death. If there is no palliative care and they are scared, they may opt for assisted death. Nothing in the committee stage nor amendments to the bill nor the comments of ministers have reassured me about this problem. As it stands, according to the House of Lords Library, two thirds of hospice funding comes not from the NHS but from donations. Meantime, Hospices UK state that one in four people cannot access palliative care. This is deeply worrying. If we are serious about offering those at end of life a real choice in how they manage the final weeks of their lives and their death, we must as a society continue to focus on palliative care and ensure that adequate resources are devoted to it. I was pleased that an amendment proposed by my colleague, Munira Wilson MP, which I signed, was accepted by the proposer of the bill, Kim Leadbeater MP. It will oblige the government to give a report after one year of the bill passing into the availability, quality and distribution of palliative care. However, there is no guarantee that there will be an improvement to the funding of palliative care. I supported an amendment … That is reasonable and a legitimate request. Yet it is a claim to a right: the right to control how I die. And it needs to be set against other rights such as the right not to be coerced into taking my life, or the right to access appropriate healthcare. Relationship between patients and their doctor The bill sets out that the key relationship in managing an assisted death will be between the patient and their doctor (or at least the “coordinating doctor” in the legislation). I said at second reading that I worried that the enactment of this bill would fundamentally change that critical relationship. The amendments made to the bill have not sufficiently reassured me on this point. Doctors have a first duty to sustain life and to heal their patients. Under the bill, they would now also have an opportunity to assist somebody in death. I have huge respect for the doctors across our country who worked tirelessly every day in the interests of their patients. So I do worry that this will lead to a radical change in the nature of that relationship, especially for those from minority groups, whom we already know suffer significant health inequality when it comes both to access to medical care and health outcomes. A further concern lies in whether or not, assisted dying will be regarded legally as a “treatment”. The bill as structured would place the provision of assistance to die in the health system. It would be managed by doctors, and it is assumed that the availability of the consultation, the advice, the procedure, and the medication would be provided by the NHS. A ruling in the Montgomery v Lanarkshire case in 2015 established that doctors in this country have a duty and obligation to make available to their patient information about all available treatments. Whilst the proposers of this bill placed protections in the bill, as they would see it, such as that doctors or health professionals who have an issue of conscience about assisting death would not be obligated to …
June 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
michael-sanders.bsky.social
Good to see this paper with @homelessnessimpact.bsky.social come out, showing a null result for a light touch wellbeing intervention which has previously shown promise.
June 18, 2025 at 8:24 AM