“It is not in the public interest for research scientists to restrict themselves from commenting on science in the news in the run up to an election and that is not the intention of purdah guidance.”

Good article on the role of underconfidence in explaining the gender wage gap - it has a role and starts early in life, shaped by gender expectations. Great example of power of longitudinal studies - using Centre for Longitudinal Studies data.

I don't think a single journalist noticed it, but Labour's Darren Jones made quite an interesting announcement on infrastructure yesterday afternoon.

They've pledged to merge the Infrastructure Projects Authority and the National Infrastructure Commission.

Some thoughts.

Excellent thread, on the tension between well meant solutions and the need for evidence.

Now that a general election has been called, I thought it was worth pre-emptively laying to rest some rumours that sometimes circulate about Economic and Social Research Council rules on what ESRC-funded researchers supposedly are and aren't allowed to say during the ‘pre-election period’. (1)

If you’d like a distraction from politics today - some astonishing buildings here. The pineapple and the fisheries department being my top two.

Professor Alison Park Yes, would be allowed an umbrella. Not sure on the rules of govt umbrellas but I’m sure someone in the building would have had a non govt property one

Lots of comments about the announcement in the rain etc - but as Dr Catherine Haddon notes, there are limited options (I assume an umbrella would have been one ...)

It is worth remembering that with so many MPs retiring and potentially historic swing, our next HoC has a chance to look and feel completely different. Historically this has been good news for traditionally under-represented groups. But, will it happen again? 1/

Apropos of nothing in particular I can confirm that writing of “The British General Election of 2024” - the latest in the Nuffield election series concerning every general election since 1945 - is underway, with the same Fab Four as BGE 2019 at the helm - Will Jennings Tim Bale

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Fantastic to see the range of projects being funded through these new Smart Data Research UK investments - from capturing the digital footprints of video game play to linking digital footprint and survey data for open research. More details including a full list of funded projects 👇👇

Interested in whether anyone else is regularly not getting magazines delivered by the Royal Mail. I’ve two subscriptions which I should receive monthly - am getting about one in four. Impossible to find anyone who can help.

Good BBC More or Less on the importance of children reading for pleasure - what the evidence does and - crucially - doesn’t show. Including Professor Alice Sullivan on findings from Centre for Longitudinal Studies podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mor…

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Go meta! Delighted to see the new £5M metascience funding call has hit the streets from UK Research and Innovation Economic and Social Research Council Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Open Philanthropy. Projects up to £300K each. Deadline 16 July. ukri.org/opportunity/uk…

Well worth a listen

BLOG: Understanding online (and offline) society: Can we link social media and survey data? Tarek Al Baghal and Paulo Serodio discuss the Economic and Social Research Council project which sets out to look at how the traces of ourselves we leave online can enhance our understanding of society. Understanding Society

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Alison Park, Economic and Social Research Council Deputy Executive Chair, explores activating communities for regional renewal: orlo.uk/fSY6V

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