Sign in

Sandy Oliver

@profsandyoliver.bsky.social
339 followers 357 following 53 posts

Combining different ways of knowing – practical, emotional, cultural, scientific – for better academic knowledge and a better world www.ucl-ioe-press.com/research-for-…

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
UCL Press @uclpress.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
⚡️ We believe research should be free to read. That’s why every UCL Press book and journal is open access, helping ideas reach readers in 242 countries and territories. Discover more: uclpress.co.uk #OpenAccess #UCLPress
Red background with white text reading: "We aren't interested in locking ideas behind paywalls. What will you discover from UCL Press?" The UCL Press logo appears at the bottom.
0115
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
UCL Thomas Coram Research Unit @tcru-ucl.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Nearly 50 years after the original Becoming a Mother study, BAM50 brought Ann Oakley & two mothers back together to watch rediscovered 1978 footage. For TCRU, it speaks to research that takes family life seriously - following motherhood, memory and social change across generations. bit.ly/4xqdtEt
bit.ly
BAM50 host special screening at UCL BAM50 host special screening at UCL - 50 Years of Becoming a Mother (BAM50)
In July we held a special screening event as part of UCL200. Over eighty people joined us to watch a 1978 archival broadcast from Thames Television, featuring Ann Oakley and two first-time mothers fro...
032
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
This is extraordinarily bad, as even the UK copyright libraries (e.g. Cambridge) have moved over to frequently only acquiring the ebook version of new publications. If you don't own the hard copy, you're just renting and you are at the mercy of the publisher.
14418191
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Quick Rant : Global health loves to celebrate “local expertise” until it’s time for local experts to travel. Our young Cameroonian physician research coordinator was supposed to present malaria research from Cameroon at a meeting in Panama.
69326
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
The People's Review @thepeoplesreview.ie · 31/03/2026
Stage 6: Check for Bias coming soon... we are busy behind the scenes making sure everything is ready for the launch in the coming days. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about all things #ThePeoplesReview mailchi.mp/universityof...
012
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Afghan women have now been banned from applying to study in British universities by the Labour government www.gov.uk/government/s...
gov.uk
The UK unequivocally condemns the Taliban’s ban on girls' education in Afghanistan: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
25367276
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
If we made the green energy transition this war would be unthinkable and these authoritarians wouldn’t be in power — not in the US, not in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia, not in Russia. Hydrocarbons are killing our freedom and just plain killing us.
520269278469
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Tony Yates @t0nyyates.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
We should be honoured to host, teach and learn from these people not exclude them. I'm ashamed of our government.
11526132
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This taster session includes our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis), a masters course that spans the interpersonal and tech/ AI aspects of research for changing the world www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
ucl.ac.uk
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
UCL's Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for the systematic review of research, also known as evidence syntheses, and explores how research is combined w...
000
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
EPPI Centre @eppicentre.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
❗If you’re interested in navigating the huge evidence base on the performance of generative AI-based tools in health and social care, our living map of this research has been newly updated. This Version 9 contains 923 fully-coded articles, of which 34 are new 👉 eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/Default....
142
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Ingenious historical approaches to access clean water now being revived to tackle chronic water shortages
theguardian.com
Ancient stepwells brought back to life as India begins to run out of water
Centuries-old wells restored to provide drinking water as parts of the country head towards “day zero” when no water will be available
0208
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Till Mostowlansky @mostowlansky.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
New book out in Open Access with UCL Press, co-edited with Elmira Muratova, with chapters on case studies ranging from Ukraine, Turkey-Afghanistan, diasporic West Africa, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan-Kuwait, and Indigenous Canada. Free download from the link in the thread.
133
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Would you like to know more about how to tackle policy problems with research already available? If so, this masters course could be the one for you. lnkd.in/dRMcbpmt
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
121
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Since I can’t sleep, here’s another hot take: The world would be a better place if everyone‘s science literacy was much better. There should be more emphasis on teaching basic science at all levels in school. Science isn’t just something nerds do, it’s the foundation of the modern world.
401168179
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Ruairidh Milne @ruairidhm.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Powerful video from @nikki-s.bsky.social on 6 years of #LongCovid. Tens of thousands of others are approaching same anniversary in UK alone - millions worldwide. A very long tail from the pandemic. #CountLongCovid #CareForLongCovid #ResearchLongCovid
044
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
UCL Press Journals @uclpressjournals.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
UCL Press publishes UCL Open Environment, a diamond open access journal for environment research 🌍 Help us better understand what researchers value when choosing where to publish, and awareness of the journal. ⏱️ < 10 minutes 🎁 Prize draw 👉 Take the survey: bit.ly/4anusxc #ScholarlyCommunications
Have your say! Complete the UCL Open Environment Survey.
022
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Co-creating a play with a Kenyan community theatre group framed vaccine research findings in ways that are relatable to community members. journals.uclpress.co.uk/r4a/article/...
010
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Lucy Pearson @lrpearson.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
6233113
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Come to our masters programme Open Days, today and tomorrow, and hear about how to change the world by: • Rethinking global societies • Developing new policies • Mastering cutting edge methods
010
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
David Mair @davidmair4.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
The big questions.
021
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Here's your invitation to our masters programmes Open Days
000
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Such a variety of personal journeys lead to our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis). It’s a pleasure to read applications and learn what has sparked a deep interest in bridging the gap between research and making important decisions www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
ucl.ac.uk
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
UCL's Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for the systematic review of research, also known as evidence syntheses, and explores how research is combined with professional and community knowledge to support policy decision-making by governments and other national and international organisations around the world. The course offers
031
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Gareth Hollands @gjhollands.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
🗣️ Privileged to have played a small part in this Lancet Commission on improving population health, published today: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... It focused on three interconnected threats: ⚠️ Non-communicable diseases; ⚠️ Outbreaks of infectious diseases; and ⚠️ Environmental degradation (1/2)
Abstract of the report of the Lancet Commission on improving population health post-COVID-19
164
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Helen Pearson @helenpearson.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
This deep-dive course in evidence synthesis looks great
001
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Looking forward to October 2026, we've started offering places to applicants to our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
ucl.ac.uk
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
UCL's Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for the systematic review of research, also known as evidence syntheses, and explores how research is combined with professional and community knowledge to support policy decision-making by governments and other national and international organisations around the world. The course offers
030
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
David Mair @davidmair4.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Why science for policy? It helps define the policy problem and find underlying causes. It helps reach trade-offs and compromises by understanding impacts. It helps find out what works through evaluation. Most of all, it helps earn trust in democracy by grounding it in facts and reality.
162
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Kit Yates @kityates.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
This really is a shame. In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
1020459
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
The value of public R&D
8628353
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
The People's Review @thepeoplesreview.ie · 28/10/2025
Thank you to everyone who joined #Stage4 of #ThePeoplesReview. Now, our team working backstage are taking a closer look at the 699 possibly relevant studies to find the ones that answer the People's favourite question. Stay tuned for #Stage5 coming soon...
002
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
I’ll be there - looking forward to it.
030
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Oh dear - we desperately need better public understanding of science.
020
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Catherine Clarke @cathamclarke.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
I'm hugely honoured and very excited to be giving this year's Historical Research #Lecture at @ihr.bsky.social, on 'Can popular #history be radical? Historical research and writing for the #public'. Tuesday 4 November, all welcome. More info in AltText. Book here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
In this lecture, Catherine Clarke will re-visit the question of what makes history radical, asking what kind of radical history we need in our public life and contemporary context today. In particular, she’ll explore ways in which popular history – trade publishing for a wide public audience – has the capacity to be radical, drawing on experiences and examples from her own new book A History of England in 25 Poems (Penguin Allen Lane, September 2025). Catherine’s lecture will move towards a manifesto for how research-led, scholarship-driven popular history can and does make necessary, vital public interventions – from opening inclusive conversations and confronting the rise of AI, to modelling radical empathy and imagination.
610845
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
ian lasch @ianlasch.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
when autistic people talk about research that will actually help to improve autistic people's quality of life, this is the kind of thing we mean. this is a neat study.
0127
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Unsolicited writing advice, no.976: Read. Read for pleasure. Read out of curiosity. Read both in and outside your comfort zone. Read in order to a get a thorough understanding of the industry you’re getting into. No time? Find time. Writing without reading is like cooking without food.
319732
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
👇🏻
010
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan @drrageshri.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
“Listening is a tool for health equity, not just a soft skill” Had a wonderful experience writing this piece that was commissioned for The Student BMJ by editor @georgeawebster.bsky.social! www.bmj.com/content/390/...
bmj.com
Listening is a tool for health equity, not just a soft skill
The medical establishment hasn't always listened to patients; nurturing this vital skill can help to tackle health inequalities, says Rageshri Dhairyawan Communication skills such as listening are of...
32712
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Ella Flemyng @ellaflem.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
‼️HOT OFF THE PRESS‼️ ⭐Updated Responsible AI use in Evidence Synthesis (RAISE) 3-paper collection on OSF: osf.io/fwaud/files/... ⭐ Now includes: 1️⃣Recommendations for practice for the main roles in the ecosystem 2️⃣ Guidance on building & evaluating AI tools 3️⃣Guidance on selecting & using AI tools
osf.io
OSF
01215
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
UCL Social Research Institute @sriucl.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Navigating research on the performance of generative LLM-based tools in health and social care? The freshly updated Living Map of Generative LLM-Based Tools for Health and Social Care Applications by @eppicentre.bsky.social is your compass. #AIHealth
054
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
The Campbell Collaboration @campbellreviews.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Check out this summary of a Campbell evidence and gap map on interventions for improving informal support for victim-survivors of domestic abuse: a small but useful evidence base. Funded by the UK Economic Social Research Council tinyurl.com/ytf9enb8 @sriucl.bsky.social @eppicentre.bsky.social
tinyurl.com
Summary of a Campbell evidence and gap map on interventions for improving informal support for victim-survivors of domestic abuse: a small but useful evidence base – Campbell Collaboration
022
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
UCL Social Research Institute @sriucl.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Check out this exciting master's degree option offered by our department!
011
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
This is such important work - and great fun!
030
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
James Lind Alliance @jameslindalliance.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
The JLA is looking for independent consultants to train and work as Advisers! You’ll support partnerships that bring together patients, carers, and clinicians to shape research priorities. ➡️Apply here: buff.ly/B9ba05R 🔁Please share this opportunity with your networks
001
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
WHO @who.int · 19/06/2025
Midwives make a difference! 💙 When women receive care from trusted midwives, they’re more likely to have a positive birth experience—choosing their birth position, moving freely during labour, and having their companion by their side. NEW guidance: bit.ly/4kShgEQ
Illustration shows a pregnant woman cared for by a midwife. Text reads 'Trusted partnerships with midwives promote a healthy labour and birth. When midwives provide care, women are involved and empowered each step of the way. Invest in midwifery care.'
217628
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Jacob Aron @jjaron.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Sigh. LLMs don't lie, because they don't know anything. What all LLMs do, including the latest models, is produce statistically plausible outputs that sometimes resemble the truth and sometimes resemble falsehoods. That's all the tech *can* do www.ft.com/content/2b3c...
ft.com
‘Godfather’ of AI Yoshua Bengio says latest models lie to users
Turing Award winner warns recent models display dangerous characteristics as he launches LawZero non-profit for safer AI
916038
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
I bought a hard copy - and couldn’t put it down. Definitely a ‘must read’. 👇🏻
133
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Many of our students already have an established career in research or policy. So there’s learning for teachers as well as for students during our discussions about evidence for decision-making. If this sounds interesting, see our MSc Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
ucl.ac.uk
Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc
The Social Policy (Evidence Synthesis) MSc has a specialist focus on advanced methods for evidence synthesis and the systematic review of research. You will also study social policy and the place of r...
122
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
An absolute bargain. This is so worth reading!
121
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
International Initiative for Impact Evaluation @3ieimpact.org · 29/05/2025
📚 Can schools help bridge ethnic divides? This week’s #DEPStudyOfTheWeek from Turkey tested a classroom-based empathy program—and found big social impacts. Less peer violence, more trust, better integration. 🔗 developmentevidence.3ieimpact.org/search-resul...
011
Sandy Oliver @profsandyoliver.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
So sorry to be missing Michael Klintman @hayfestival.bsky.social but I bought his very readable book anyway.
230
Reposted by Sandy Oliver
Tom Shakespeare @tomshakespeare.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Thread. I have read what resulted, and so should you.
0104