Oxford News
Social Sciences Impact Conference to bring together researchers and partners to explore ‘Impact in Motion’
Researchers from more than 20 universities are expected to take part, including Oxford, Oxford Brookes, Cambridge, Manchester, UCL, Queen’s University Belfast, Exeter, Southampton, Bournemouth, Leicester, Royal Holloway, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Warwick, Birmingham and Sheffield. The programme will also feature speakers from organisations working across policy, international development, research funding and public engagement, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UNHCR, the British Academy, the International Rescue Committee, ESRC, BBC Ideas, the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd.
By convening researchers, policymakers, practitioners and partners, we create space for meaningful dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and sectors. In a time of complex global challenges, it is through these shared conversations and partnerships that social science research can inform policy, strengthen communities and drive real-world impact.
Professor Timothy Power, Head of Social Sciences Division
Professor Timothy Power, Head of Social Sciences Division, said: ‘I am excited to see the social sciences community come together in Oxford for The Social Sciences Impact Conference. By convening researchers, policymakers, practitioners and partners, we create space for meaningful dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and sectors. In a time of complex global challenges, it is through these shared conversations and partnerships that social science research can inform policy, strengthen communities and drive real-world impact.’
The two-day conference will include plenary sessions and 24 additional sessions comprising deep dives, panel discussions and workshops. Topics span navigating international policy spaces, inclusive innovation and commercialisation, how the social sciences are meeting the climate change challenge, measuring, evidencing and evaluating impact, and film as an engagement tool.
The plenary programme includes Social Sciences in Motion: Power, Pressure and Potential, which will explore how forces such as political transition and shifts in the funding landscape are reshaping the sector, and what this means for future possibilities in research during a period of instability and uncertainty. Speakers include Julia Black, Will Hutton (Academy of Social Sciences), Professor Jonathan Michie (Kellogg College, University of Oxford), Molly Morgan Jones (The British Academy) and James Canton (ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council).
Trust, Credibility and Public Confidence: Are Social Sciences Doing Enough will bring together diverse perspectives for a critical discussion of how social sciences can maintain and build trust in an era of misinformation, polarisation and rapid technological change, and how the sector can demonstrate value to the public, policy, the media and business.
Impact at a Crossroads: Research and Action Amid Global Change will consider how international research and aid have shifted amid rising global tensions, and how researchers, policymakers and international organisations are adapting their work and navigating polarised environments while continuing to deliver impact. Speakers include Professor Lucie Cluver (Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford) and Caesar Atuire (Oxford Global Health).
The programme will also feature Impact in Motion: The Path Ahead for the Social Sciences, with Professor Ngaire Woods (Blavatnik School of Government).
The conference’s official partner is the Campaign for Social Sciences, part of the Academy of Social Sciences, which advocates for the greater use of social science evidence in decision-making and highlights the contribution of applied research to public policy and society. The 2026 event is sponsored by Overton and Palgrave Macmillan.
Steve Grundy, Senior Campaign Manager, Academy of Social Science, said: ‘Social science research helps us to understand and address many of the varied challenges facing society today, providing vital evidence to inform government policy relating to the environment; the economy; health; education; criminal justice; immigration; technology including AI; housing; social welfare, and much more besides. As such the impact of social science research touches all our daily lives, making a significant and important contribution to improving society for the better.’
The conference offers in-person participation, with an online alternative planned for those unable to attend in person, providing access to 10 live sessions across the two days. Registration closes on 13 March 2026. Further information and booking details are available via the conference webpage.
The Grade II listed property on St John Street, which is up for sale, offers more than 2,900 square feet of living space spread over four floors.
It features a large family room, a kitchen/breakfast area, large bedrooms, a west-facing courtyard garden, and a separate annexe, and is being sold with “no onward chain.”
Inside, the main house boasts four bedrooms and a reconfigured interior.
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The lower ground floor features a wooden-floored family room, a utility room, and a modern shower room.
On the ground floor, there is a parlour room with a feature fireplace, and a kitchen/breakfast area that opens onto a walled courtyard garden.
The first floor offers two double bedrooms, one with an ensuite bathroom, while the second floor features the principal bedroom, bathroom, and a dressing room.
The annexe, accessible from the courtyard, has its own sitting room, a first-floor vaulted bedroom, and a lower ground floor bathroom.
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St John Street, known for its Georgian-style Grade II listed terraced houses, is situated in the heart of Oxford and was developed around 1830.
The area is close to top-rated state and independent schools, including The Dragon School, Oxford High School for Girls, Cherwell School, St Edward’s School, d’Overbroeck’s College, St Philip & James School, Summerfields School, Christchurch College School, New College School, and Magdalen College School.
The property is also near the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford colleges, and the Oxford railway station.
Thames Valley Police has released a CCTV image as it asks for the public’s help in identifying a man who may have vital information about the incident at Templars Shopping Centre in Cowley.
The reported ‘sexual assault’ happened when a woman in her 20s was inappropriately touched over her clothing at around 3pm on Tuesday, June 30.
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No arrests have been made at this time and the police has asked for anyone with any information to come forward as soon as possible.
Investigating officer PC Emily Rice said: “We are releasing this CCTV image as we believe the individual pictured may have information that could assist our investigation.
“If this is you, or if you recognise the person shown in the image, please contact Thames Valley Police.”
Anyone with information can make a report to the police online or call 101, quoting reference 43260331880.
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Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through its website.
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
The scheme, which took effect on August 28, includes a wide range of furniture and home essentials.
In a statement, IKEA said: “From much-loved favourites to everyday essentials, customers can discover New Lower Prices both online and in-store, helping make it easier to create a home you love, whatever your budget.”
Among the discounted items is the KALLAX shelving unit, soon to be available for £49—down 18% from £60.
The HEMNES daybed, which functions as a sofa, single bed, double bed, and storage unit, will be reduced by 15% from £329 to £279.
In addition to these savings, IKEA is offering more than 1,000 exclusive in-store-only prices with discounts up to 25%.
The company said: “In time for cosy season, in stores nationwide, IKEA is also offering 20% off throws, bedspreads, candles, floor and table lamps, plus selected rugs, thermal curtains, seasonal duvets and cookware, from 7th September to 1st November nationwide.”
The history of IKEA
IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad when he was just 17 years old.
Originally, the company sold small goods such as pens and wallets, but in 1948, Kamprad expanded into furniture.
This was facilitated by Ingvar’s father, who gave him a small sum of money for doing well in school, which he used to set up a company.
In 1953, the company adopted flatpack furniture, solving costly transportation problems.
IKEA grew steadily throughout the 1950s in Sweden, before expanding into Denmark and Norway in the 1960s.
By the 1970s, the brand had entered markets in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Switzerland.
The first UK store opened in Warrington in 1987, marking the start of IKEA’s growth in the British market.
Today, IKEA employs nearly 12,000 people across its 22 UK locations.
Have you bought items from IKEA before? Let us know in the comments.
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