Nesta

Nesta We are Nesta, the research and innovation foundation. linktr.ee/Nesta_uk

We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions across the innovation lifecycle.

10/06/2026

What is Brexit truly costing the UK economy? 🇪🇺

According to academic research, being outside the EU is costing us 6% to 8% of GDP. Even if we take the lowest estimate, that amounts to a staggering £180 billion a year- or roughly half a billion pounds a week.

The latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast is out now. Guests Tim Leunig and Anand Menon join host Joseph Owen to untangle the real-world policy trade-offs and explore whether rejoining is realistic given the current political climate.

🎙️ In each episode of the Policy Fix, we take a policy problem and look at the solutions for fixing it. We look at the challenge, what works and how to make change happen.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube ➡️ https://bit.ly/4oiAaqR

🎧 Subscribe, share and rate wherever you get your podcasts.

07/06/2026

When we talk about artificial intelligence in public services, we tend to focus on the flashy capabilities. But the real AI opportunity is actually a second chance to go back and fix the foundations.

In this episode of the Policy Fix podcast, Mallory Durran explains why previous digital transformation programmes fell short. The key to unlocking AI isn't just newer technology; it’s finally getting the "boring stuff" right.

Watch the full conversation about effective public sector AI adoption on YouTube ➡️ https://bit.ly/4dAIHk1

Subscribe, share and rate wherever you get your podcasts🎧

05/06/2026

How do you manage the risks of artificial intelligence in public services? 🤖

The instinct for many organisations is to tighten rules or stall implementation, but James Kuht, CEO of PAIR and former No 10 data scientist, argues for a different approach: experimentation.

Listen to the latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast, where we explore the practical fixes needed to unlock public sector AI adoption, debate how the state can compete with big tech for top-tier talent and ultimately set out how the civil service can maximise its real-world impact using AI.

🎥Watch the full episode on how to transform public sector AI adoption on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4dAIHk1

04/06/2026

Why are some government departments ahead of others when it comes to technology? 💻

In the latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast, our guests discuss what it really takes for the government to successfully become world leaders in public service AI - and how some departments have already embraced digital transformation.

Watch the full episode 🎥: https://bit.ly/4dAIHk1

Rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

02/06/2026

What do successful public sector AI programmes have in common?

James Kuht, CEO of PAIR and founding member of No 10’s data science team, shares the one non-negotiable trait that government departments that get AI right have in common: clear, unwavering vision from senior leadership.

James joins Nesta's Mallory Durran and Joe Owen on the Policy Fix podcast to discuss how the civil service can navigate the complexities of AI adoption to deliver real-world impact.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4dAIHk1

🎧 Rate, comment and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

30/05/2026

Will AI actually fix our public services or just create private wealth? 🏦

In the latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast, Nesta’s Mallory Durran, former lead at the UK government’s Incubator for AI, joins host Joseph Owen and PAIR’s James Kuht to discuss the reality of public sector AI adoption and untangle the real-world fixes needed to make AI work for the state.

Mallory warns that better citizen experiences and genuine public value are not guaranteed just because a technology is powerful. If the state wants to harness AI to create public value rather than just private wealth, we need a fundamental shift in how government handles digital transformation.

👉 Watch the full conversation: https://bit.ly/4dAIHk1

🎧 Rate, comment and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

26/05/2026

Public sector services can’t ‘fire’ their customers like start-ups can - they need to cater to everyone. This makes innovating harder and uniquely risky.

In this episode of the Policy Fix podcast, we’re exploring the potential of AI to transform the UK’s public services and how the UK government can untangle complexities to actually move AI policy into real-world impact.

🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube ➡️ https://bit.ly/4dAIHk1

🎧 Rate, comment and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

21/05/2026

How do we lead the UK's public sector through a technical revolution?

The latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast is out now - Nesta's Mallory Durran, former lead at the UK government's Incubator for AI, and PAIR's James Kuht, founding member of the government's data science team, join host Joe Owen to dissect what's preventing efficient and impactful AI adoption within the public sector and how the UK can become a world leader.

Our guests explore the fundamental shift in leadership that is now required for effective AI adoption, with deep technical expertise amongst leaders now a non-negotiable.

🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube ➡️ https://bit.ly/43liuB0

🎧 Rate, comment and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

17/05/2026

While drilling for more fossil fuels may offer short-term economic relief during an energy crisis, what signal does it send if climate goals are the first thing to be rolled back under pressure?

In the latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast, our guests explore why this crisis should be a turning point - moving us away from short-term fixes and towards long-term solutions that break our dependence on oil and gas.

Listen to Nesta's Madeleine Gabriel, Ravi Gurumurthy and Joseph Owen explore how to make this the last ever UK energy crisis.

🎥 Watch the full episode of the Policy Fix on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, rate and subscribe ➡️ https://bit.ly/41K0PSY

13/05/2026

What should the government do when the next energy shock hits? 💡

The key is electrification, says Nesta's Madeleine Gabriel in the latest episode of the Policy Fix podcast.

In the latest episode of the Policy Fix, Madeleine Gabriel, director of Nesta's sustainability mission, joins host Joe Owen to untangle the latest energy crisis and how we can make sure this one is the last.

🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts, rate and subscribe ➡️ https://bit.ly/41K0PSY

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