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Sanjush Dalmia

@sanjushdalmia.bsky.social
1.9K followers 769 following 147 posts

Science, Innovation and AI Policy | Committee @labourcid.bsky.social and Labour Digital | Fellow @britishprogress.org | NHS Doctor and Medical Researcher Former Science Policy Advisor to Labour Manchester / Leeds sanjushdalmia.com

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Reposted by Sanjush Dalmia
Stephen Curry @scurry.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Yeah. Remember when the car industry unhesitatingly self-regulated lead out of petrol/gasoline?
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I’m at Labour Conference from Sunday 27 September to Wednesday 30 September and am keen to get coffees! Drop me a message if you want to chat about: public health, science, innovation or AI, international development, global health or foreign policy, state capacity, good growth or Manchesterism.
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Ellie Harris @eleanorrrlouise.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Absolutely fascinating reminder that “Westminster truths” such as the two-child limit increasing child poverty are rarely shared by the general public. Making the case, sharing the evidence and repeatedly doing so is so key. We shouldn’t be led by polls, we should be changing the polls.
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Chi Onwurah @chionwurah.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"I'm urging the government to bring forward AI legislation which is in the interests of British people. Yes, talk to the tech bros and to UK experts and to international partners, but put first the interest of the British people." www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Senior MP warns tech bros don't have UK's 'interests at heart' after AI warning
EXCLUSIVE: Dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the Commons’ tech committee, raised concerns about American AI giants driving the conversation on how to regulate the technology
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David Lawrence @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Robotaxis are here! Last week, Uber & Wayve started offering driverless journeys in London, and Waymo is not far behind. We should welcome autonomous vehicles (AVs), but they come alongside three big problems. In a new report for @britishprogress.org, @anyamartin.bsky.social & I make a plan... 🧵
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Concerns around national security risks from AI are not simply "marketing". The International AI Safety Report, a collaborative effort led by independent academics, suggests the concerns are legitimate. Progressives should take them seriously.
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Justin Mikulka @justinmikulka.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
It wasn't that long ago we were told that batteries would never succeed in big trucks. This is some very good news for everyone not in the business of selling diesel.
bar chart showing rapid rise of battery use in heavy trucks in China.
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Arguably @arguablymag.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
@davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social writes on why British politicians should be looking to Taiwan. The island nation has harnessed the legacy of Henry George and developed some of the best infrastructure amidst scarce land availability. www.arguably.uk/p/the-island...
arguably.uk
What Britain can learn from Taiwan
The island offers a masterclass in strategic and economic sovereignty
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Drama should be a core GCSE subject iandunt.substack.com/p/the-hellbo...
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Renewal @renewaljournal.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This year's Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture will be delivered by @yuanfenyang.bsky.social. The Lecture will be held at City St. George's University of London's Clerkenwell Campus on Wednesday 9 September. Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/rita-hinde...
renewal.org.uk
Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture: Yuan Yang MP
Dear Subscribers and Friends of Renewal. We are delighted to announce this year's Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture will be given by Yuan Yang MP. Yuan Yang is the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, and c...
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Re:State @re-state.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Why we need metapolicy. In today's Re:Think @jo3hill.bsky.social discusses why we need a new field for studying policymaking, and what this field can learn from the successes of metascience. restate.substack.com/p/why-we-nee...
restate.substack.com
Why we need metapolicy
What the state capacity field can learn from metascience
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I really encourage professors who are still doing this to spend some time in university libraries. In 2024, basically every laptop was on split screen with ChatGPT taking up one half...
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Yeah this is a huge issue. Doesn't have to be written exams, it can be vivas or presentations - but the status quo isn't viable.
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Morgan Jones @morganj0nes.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Wrote this article last year and still think about the Uxbridge backlash quite a lot. I think it summed up a lot of what was wrong with Starmer's Labour – and the benefits of Sadiq sticking by his guns are now clear to see. labourlist.org/2025/04/loca...
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
A GOOD GROWTH ACTION PLAN 🧵 How could reports from Westminster think tanks be adapted into an "authentically Labour" economic strategy, rooted in Andy Burnham's political economy of good growth and reindustrialisation?
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Under @andyburnham.bsky.social, AI policy could lean even further into Manchesterism, delivering concrete, visible benefits to the public, which start in the post-industrial towns of the North instead of trickling down from London or Silicon Valley.
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Ed Miliband arrives at the Foreign Office with a tiny aid budget. But under the right leadership, it could still deliver huge impact. On my Substack, I've suggested 16 concrete aid policy ideas which could be delivered from within existing funds. productivestate.substack.com/p/good-growt...
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
I previously argued that being prepared for government requires careful thinking about how ministerial roles can be aligned with the PM’s political vision. On my Substack today, I think through options for new junior ministerial briefs to fit Andy’s stated priorities.
productivestate.substack.com
New Ministerial Briefs for Manchesterism
Aligning Government with Andy's Vision
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Thinking of AI as “tech” or “digital” basically obscures everything that the government needs to understand to ensure British workers benefit instead of Silicon Valley. 🧵
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Andy Burnham has promised a new approach to governing: building strong technical expertise in-house, backing mayors, and bringing benefits directly to left-behind regions instead of waiting for them to trickle down. 🧵 One department already has a strong headstart on this agenda.
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Reports suggest that Team Burnham will establish a Department for the Prime Minister. But to align Whitehall with Manchesterism, they could go further. New post on machinery-of-gov changes for Team Burnham to consider (sorry IFG!) 🧵 open.substack.com/pub/producti...
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
If Andy wants to fix the "unaccountable state", power will need to shift away from unelected experts in national bodies, and towards elected representatives close to communities. On Substack, I propose a framework that could help the government get this right. open.substack.com/pub/producti...
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Starmer promised to govern "unburdened by doctrine". I think Andy should do the opposite. On my Substack this week, I make the case for doctrine, alongside eight tests that effective doctrine should meet. open.substack.com/pub/producti...
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Last week we learned that even after four years in opposition, Morgan McSweeney felt Labour was underprepared for government. Andy Burnham has two weeks. So what does being ready to govern actually look like? On my Substack today, I propose ten tests. open.substack.com/pub/producti... 🧵 1/11
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
We’ve hit a year and three weeks since the UK had a permanent National Statistician. My considered view is that this is Not Good.
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Yuan Yang @yuanfenyang.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The cost of living crisis and our low growth are two symptoms of the same problem: an economic structure that hasn’t been working for a long time. We need to take on the root causes of those costs.
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Renewal @renewaljournal.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
NEW ISSUE: In this special extra edition of Renewal, @louisehaighmp.bsky.social, @yuanfenyang.bsky.social, and other members of the Tribune Group of Labour MPs set out paths to repairing Britain's broken economic settlement. renewal.org.uk/journal/volu...
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
I use an AI tool in the NHS every day, and wrote about regulatory sandboxes for the @britishprogress.org R&D policy toolkit. On my Substack, I look at how AI Growth Labs could best accelerate AI adoption and increase productivity, with a focus on healthcare. Key points:🧵
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
I think it’s likely that some sort of government-endorsed third party privacy certification system for AI tools would accelerate adoption.
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
We should use AI in the REF, and it is good to spend taxpayers' money on lizard venom research. Thanks to @resprofnews.bsky.social for inviting me to write up some thoughts on where Labour's new DSIT team should go on R&D, just in time for conference!
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Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Strong argument from @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social for basic research funding "As a doctor, I meet patients whose diabetes management has been completely transformed by drugs such as the weight-loss medication Ozempic. This has only been possible thanks to curiosity-driven research on lizard venom"
researchprofessionalnews.com
Research team - Research Professional News
Sanjush Dalmia suggests Labour Party conference discussion points around Britain’s R&D future
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James O'Malley @jamesomalley.co.uk · 07/09/2025
Saw Kanishka Narayan speak at a Labour Digital thing a few months ago and he was incredibly impressive at knowing what he was talking about on tech stuff, which isn't always a given for politicians, so that seems like a good appointment!
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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
🚨BREAKING🚨 Patrick Vallance announces three-month pause in REF. Science minister announces hiatus but says results for next Research Excellence Framework still on track for 2029. Free to read: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Vallance announces three-month pause in REF - Research Professional News
Science minister announces hiatus but says results still on track for 2029
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
As the Labour government applies its interventionist industrial strategy to R&D, policymakers must carefully pick the right policy tools for the right problem. Yesterday, @britishprogress.bsky.social launched our interactive “R&D Policy Toolkit” to help policymakers do just that.
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Ben Johnson @ersatzben.com · 31/07/2025
🚨🔧 NEW R&D POLICY TOOLKIT LAUNCHED 🪏🚨 Excited to launch a new @BritishProgress product: an interactive toolkit for UK R&D analysts and policymakers! 🔗 rd-toolkit.britishprogress.org Thread below🧵
rd-toolkit.britishprogress.org
UK R&D Policy Toolkit
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
"Repair" won't work - Starmerism needs to "Rebuild". Britain's stagnation is in part, down to the accumulation of decisions where Conservative governments ducked transition costs. But the political costs of inaction now exceed the political costs of transition.
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Richard Sever @richardsever.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
“People don’t want to interact with a paper. They want to interact with the author” @valdavinson.bsky.social on lack of onsite commenting on papers at #FutureSciPub 1/2
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Jonny Coates @jacoates.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
I'm looking for academic affiliation. I don't need to be paid & I'm happy to offer something in return! I've got an exceptionally strong track record and full metascience research program ready to roll.
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Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
29 scholars reflect on their participation in adversarial collaborations: “Rather than producing a clear 'winner,' the most common outcome was a deeper understanding of the problem space through the integration of opposing perspectives” Open Access: doi.org/10.1007/s111... #MetaSci #Methodology 🧪
There is much enthusiasm, in principle, for adversarial collaborations (ACs), a scientific conflict resolution technique that encourages investigators with clashing models to collaborate in designing studies that test competing predictions. Adversarial collaborations offer the promise of breaking deadlocked debates, resolving disputes, and providing a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of a research domain. In practice, however, adversarial collaborations are more the exception than the rule, and there is almost no evidence on how scholars who have ventured into ACs assess the experience. To understand these perspectives, we surveyed and interviewed 29 scholars who participated in 13 AC projects. The data revealed that interpersonal conflicts were generally minor, that these projects required more upfront effort than typical collaborations, but benefited from high-quality results and more thoughtful post-publication debates. Rather than producing a clear “winner,” the most common outcome was a deeper understanding of the problem space through the integration of opposing perspectives. Although the generalizability of these findings is limited by a sample consisting only of scholars who completed an AC, they nonetheless highlight the value of ACs as a tool for advancing scientific inquiry and offer practical guidance for scholars and journals exploring this approach.
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
We can reform the Research Excellence Framework to distribute power, strengthen open access and unlock more money for R&D, while retaining both the “dual-support” system and qualitative research evaluation. In my latest Substack post, I outline what the “Open REF” could look like.
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Ben Johnson @ersatzben.com · 09/07/2025
What counts as interdisciplinary research? And can we tell who is actually funding it, versus just talking about it? A data-driven deep-dive from me here: open.substack.com/pub/johnsonb...
open.substack.com
What Actually Counts as Interdisciplinary Research?
A data-driven look at which funders actually support knowledge integration
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
What do we need to *build* for metascience and open science? I’ve written a “Request for Products” that I think could be particularly valuable to improve science. open.substack.com/pub/whitehea...
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Ryuichi Maruyama @rmaruy.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Inspired (partly) by ‪@jontreadway.bsky.social 's tweet thread, I have come up with a highly subjective and tentative map of different strands in metascience. It is intended as a starter to begin talking about what people (want to) include in metascience. #metascience2025
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Today on my Substack, I'm sharing a list of empirical research questions for metascience, which I think are particularly relevant for science policy. I don’t conduct or fund metascience research, but if you do, you might find this list helpful. whiteheat.substack.com/p/empirical-...
whiteheat.substack.com
Empirical Questions in Metascience: A List for Funders and Researchers
A Policy-Relevant Research Agenda
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
I'll be at the Cambridge Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) annual conference later today. Come say hi if you're attending - I'd love to chat about @britishprogress.bsky.social and Scientists for Labour!
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
The "for-profit company owned by a non-profit" model seems to have been extraordinarily successful for science (OpenAI, Novo Nordisk). This paper by @namratanarain.bsky.social shows VCs are short-termist - perhaps non-profits are better placed to support "patient science".
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Lee Kuan Yew claimed air conditioning was "key to public efficiency". Yet we only have a few, low-quality studies on the productivity effects of office working environments (temperature, air filtration, noise etc). Potential big wins here, for both workers and businesses.
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Sanjush Dalmia @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Last week, The Economist characterised Labour's political strategy as "all pain, no gain". Why was there so much anger on means-testing winter fuel payments, and how can Labour improve in the future? By renaming stuff: whiteheat.substack.com/p/rename-the... 🧵
whiteheat.substack.com
Rename the Winter Fuel Payment, the Two Child Benefit Cap and the Pension Triple Lock
The Comms and Politics of Cutting and Spending
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Research on Research Institute (RoRI) @rorinstitute.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
🎯 Does early success in science funding shape the rest of your career? New RoRI study says yes. The ‘Matthew effect’ — early winners keep winning — holds across funders & countries. 📄 Read more: researchonresearch.org/largest-stud...
researchonresearch.org
Largest study of its kind shows that the ‘Matthew effect’ in science funding holds true - Research on Research
New RoRI paper shows that researchers who win funding early in their career are more likely to get funded in the future
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Owen Jackson @owenjackson.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
The next few months will determine the outlook for the UK #LifeSciences research landscape for a decade. An article from me on how Government needs to maximise the opportunities and avoid the pitfalls: news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/06/05/5... 1/
news.cancerresearchuk.org
Seizing the moment – 5 steps the Government must take to help UK cancer research thrive - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
Here's what we need to see from the Spending Review, NHS 10 Year Plan, Cancer Plan, Industrial Strategy, and Life Sciences Sector Plan.
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