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 coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
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On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
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He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
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.
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