For More Information on What Demos Has Been up to in 2019, and Our Plans

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2O19 Tom Watson MP, giving A YEAR OF GROWTH a speech on gambling regulation Demos exists to bring people and politics Because we listen to people, and engage July 2019 closer together. At a time of great division, without prejudice to party lines, we design upheaval and outrage, we believe Britain can policies that can bring people together. rise to all the challenges facing us if we find a From tax to teaching, from care to consumer way to hold together. That means we need to protection: we champion ideas that can give do politics - and policy - very differently. all our citizens more power in their everyday lives. We’re not like other think tanks. We don’t lock ourselves up in Westminster and come Demos has always been a hub for innovation. up with solutions on our own. Everything we We get technology in a way that most in recommend has been co-designed with the Westminster do not. As technology upends citizens we work for: the people of Britain. our society, our economy and our politics, those skills are proving more vital than ever 2019 has been a year of huge growth - we’re before. nearly twice the size we were when I took over less than two years ago. With a team I’m incredibly excited about what 2020 of twenty, we’ve engaged with thousands of holds. We will be doing our own polling and citizens up and down the country, through public opinion research. We’ll be launching Rt Hon Nicky Morgan polling, focus groups, social media and new tools for online deliberation. We’ll interviews. We’ve taken on our first team generate ideas and campaign for change. I MP, Secretary of State members outside London, and are now hope you’ll join us. for DCMS discussing the running projects from Taunton to Kilmarnock, from Bradford to Great Yarmouth. future of the internet at Conservative Party We’ve hosted brilliant events with politicians from across the Conference spectrum, challenging them to think outside of party October 2019 politics to find lasting solutions, and bringing Polly Mackenzie citizens with lived experience here to Chief Executive Westminster to get their voices heard.

Chuka Umunna MP, Polly Mackenzie, and Sir Vince Cable MP at a Demos Conversations event July 2019

2 3 FIGURE 1. POLITICAL DIVISION INDEX

OUR VISION

Nations need a ‘demos’: a way of being together, with a common sense of direction and identity. “A desire for compromise, Without that, we don’t have the basic solidarity on OF DEBATE + HEALTH EMPATHY which we build public services and the rule of law. It conversation and empathy doesn’t mean everyone needs to agree, or to be the for those who disagree with same. It’s about how we live side by side, how we disagree, and when we choose to compromise. us, still characterises the 2019 was yet another year of outrage, where that political attitudes of most sense of shared identity was missing. Three and British citizens.” a half years of political warfare over Brexit have created a nagging feeling that the hyperbole of AGREEMENT election time might be more than skin deep: that our The debates on Brexit and immigration were country is divided, from top to bottom - divided, and predictably divisive, but not devoid of empathy, maybe even irreconcilably so. implying there isn’t as much animosity between Leavers and Remainers as some have suggested. In our own election manifesto, we made the case “We need to build a new At Demos, our mission is to challenge that Topics like the NHS and climate change were sources for a more civil politics where we treat our political assumption - and help Britain come together. That’s of wide consensus among the population. On these opponents, and representatives, with respect. And kind of deliberative politics, why this year we published our first Political Division and most other issues, citizens perceive a healthier we argued for a better way of using technology, to Index, in partnership with our friends at Opinium. political debate. build a digital politics which unites people from all so our nations and peoples We wanted to measure not just whether people walks of life, instead of finding new ways to divide can come together to find were divided on the big issues, but where there was The results are cause for careful optimism but, us. We need to build a new kind of deliberative scope for common ground. primarily, for action. A desire for compromise and politics, so our nations and peoples can come collective answers to the big conversation, and empathy for those who disagree together to find collective answers to the big with us, still characterises the political attitudes of challenges we face. challenges we face.” most British citizens. But politicians and those who “Three and a half years of dominate our political discourse seem to focus on And that’s our mission for 2020. On those issues divisive topics and favour toxic over healthy debate. we identified as politically most toxic: we will help political warfare over Brexit We fear that this prominent method of division, find the common ground. On those issues where have created a nagging combined with a media environment geared to the the public is clear what they want, but desperate for outrageous and sensational, risks widening rifts in practical action: we will help design and champion Polly Mackenzie & feeling that our country is British society and reducing the effectiveness of change. Using our innovative research methods, divided and maybe even democratic debate. technological insight and expertise in public Tessa van Rens participation, our ambition for 2020 is to help shape irreconcilably so.” That’s why we need a new approach not just to Britain’s common path forward. campaigning, but to the way we govern Britain, to Political division - as we define it - is about far more help sow unity rather than division, consensus rather than disagreement. Disagreement can be really than controversy. healthy. It’s about the quality of the public debate. We looked at 10 issues, and scored each topic in four categories: agreement, salience, empathy towards the other side, and the health of the conversation. 4 5 ENVISAGING THE OUR RESEARCH WEB WE WANT

The question of how to regulate the internet So we need to be proactive - get ahead of is almost as old as the internet - and as the innovation giants. Demos will facilitate a “Our research brings people together to discuss problems unanswered as it has ever been. In 2020, Demos transatlantic conversation between technology, will be working to measure and advocate for an government and the public that lays out a vision and shape solutions that reflect the lived experiences, views internet that strengthens liberal democracy. The for a web we want, identifies the path towards and concerns of real people.” election campaign has underlined just how far it, and then works to see it delivered. we have to go before we have a digital public commons that's fit for purpose. CASM at Demos has a unique understanding All of Demos’ research focuses on engaging the People Powered Planning found that a majority of technology and its impact on society. We’ve public, not just as research subjects but as decision- of people don’t feel at all involved in planning pioneered tools for research, we’ve explored makers too. We bring people together to discuss and housing decisions in their local area and “With a mix of policy, the outer boundaries of the dark web, we’ve problems and shape solutions that reflect the lived recommended that local planning authorities trial the dialogue and a granular designed policies on cryptocurrencies and experience, views and concerns of real people. And use of deliberative decision-making methods, such internet crime. Now we demand a web that we use these findings to develop policies which can as citizens’ assemblies, in the local planning process. understanding of regenerates the principles of human rights, change lives for the better. technology, the internet fundamental freedoms and democracy in Financial inclusion has been a strong theme of our the digital age, and in robust contrast to In 2019, Demos published almost 30 reports, across work this year, with Protected by Design looking into can be a place where unaccountable or authoritarian approaches to a range of policy areas, focusing where solutions are how protections can be built into financial services regulate and manipulate our online lives. We urgently needed, including labour markets, financial for people who are at risk of fraud, for example democracy is defined for believe that with a mix of policy, dialogue and inclusion, social care, housing and communities. through age-related or mental health conditions. We the 21st century.” a granular understanding of technology, the In total, our reports have produced more than 200 also published the inaugural The Good Credit Index, internet can be a place where democracy is policy recommendations, which we have taken to an ongoing project which mapped the availability defined for the 21st century. policymakers, parliamentarians and the business of credit across the UK for the first time, making In the coming years, a patchwork of community. recommendations on how access to better quality national and international legislation credit can be improved. will set standards and processes Some have been bold: our report Pathways from aimed at holding the web to Alex Krasodomski-Jones Poverty, on Jobcentre Plus, made a number of We start 2020 with some exciting and innovative account on both sides of radical proposals to address the DWP’s failure projects. Some of these will continue to build upon the Atlantic. But efforts to meet the needs of people who are research in the areas mentioned above, while are still reactive: changes Director of CASM sick or disabled. These included others will expand into important policy are driven by scandals, transferring some responsibilities to areas such as taxation, sustainability outrages and perceptions local authorities and NHS trusts and immigration. In 2020, Demos will of mismanagement. In the and involving claimants as co- be continuing to bring the public race to protect from harm, producers. into all of our policy research, governments are putting at finding new ways to understand risk the very rights that they The Liquidity Trap, our report the public view and proactively seek to protect, through short- on the ‘liquid workforce’ - addressing the key policy sighted efforts that are framed those working in the gig challenges we face. by what we are afraid of and not by economy or as self- what we want democracy to look like in employed - called the online world. for a minimum wage for these workers, among other recommendations Dr Heather Rolfe to improve their financial security. Head of Research 6 7 10Today, supported by Sport England and The National Lottery Community Fund, is evaluating an innovative pilot of short, peer- led physically active routines aimed at older people, delivered via online videos, community radio broadcasts and a network of champions. Our research found that 42% of older people ACTION RESEARCH are physically inactive, and many experience significant barriers to being active.

In the six month Pilot, we recruited 114 peer champions, and reached over 1,200 participants online, through the radio and via champions with our ten broadcasts, receiving very positive feedback from participants. We’ve also made Volunteers at 10Today a wide range of partnerships to promote Our action research programme brings public, The project launched in South Yorkshire with 10Today with nationwide Active Partnerships, Champion training private and voluntary sector stakeholders together an employers’ event in October, demonstrating Arthritis Action and the Royal College of GPs. to instigate change. Going beyond the traditional how businesses can be part of the financial We’re tracking participants to understand the March 2019 think tank model, we test out policy ideas in inclusion agenda and connecting attendees with programme’s long term impacts and will report in practice and evaluate both their impact and the representatives from a range of initiatives. We June 2020. implementation process, to better influence also launched a public campaign promoting local support and services in the run-up to Christmas, and policy and develop replicable models for practice Through Demos Projects, we’re providing change. opened nominations for our South Yorkshire Financial consultancy for Barclays’ ‘Thriving Local Inclusion Awards which will celebrate local impact at Economies’ initiative, which aims to develop supported by The Good Credit Project, a ceremony in February 2020. In 2020, we’ll continue knowledge about different types of economies NewDay, is a place-based financial inclusion our series of events with stakeholders likely to provide and commit to action on the ground to help initiative aiming to transform credit provision support, advice or services to people who are at those economies thrive. We’ve advised on the throughout the UK, starting with the Sheffield risk of unaffordable high-cost credit, including local selection of four pilot areas covering towns in City Region. It follows our ground-breaking Good authorities and housing providers, showcasing what borough, metropolitan, rural and coastal areas Credit Index, which mapped access to credit they can do and inspiring action. We’ll also open a and produced research reports detailing their across the UK and identified ‘credit deserts’, where grants pot in Spring 2020 to boost local initiatives and opportunities and challenges, and making it is difficult to obtain good credit despite high invest in sustainability. recommendations for intervention. Over the next need. We’re working with Mayor Dan Jarvis MP, few years, we’ll evaluate the impact of these MBE and local stakeholders from across sectors to interventions using our independent assessment co-design tailored initiatives to improve the local framework. credit environment. “Going beyond the traditional think for when santa's little helper tank model, we Heather Williams, needs a helping hand. Head of Major test out policy don't spoil your credit score Projects by spoiling your loved ones ideas in practice this christmas. and evaluate both be smart, get good credit. their impact and the implementation Good Credit Project process, to better influence Christmas campaign flyer policy and develop replicable models for practice change.” goodcreditindex.co.uk December 2019

8 9 A NEW LOOK

Demos’ legacy is something we’ll always be Our new brand represents our commitment OUR IMPACT proud of. And yet throughout the year it was to put people at the heart of our work. It increasingly clear that the eye central to our represents optimism: our belief that asking brand no longer represented our organisation. people and listening to what they say can solve Put simply, in 2019’s political landscape, we the most challenging of our social problems and needed to do more than study citizens as that any government has the ability to succeed subjects. We could no longer separate ourselves if the needs, experiences and voices of citizens To say 2019 was an eventful year in politics is The pace of change has been slow - especially from our society, and in order to come up with are foremost in its policymaking. With it comes an obvious understatement. And yet alongside so with a government distracted by Brexit. While policies that work, we needed to listen, to a renewed sense of purpose: for Demos to play endless meaningful votes, defections and we’re optimistic that 2020 holds the promise engage, far more than we needed to see. a role in bridging divides, working towards an deselections, right up until parliament dissolved of more decisive policymaking, we’re also clear engaged demos and a political system that for the election, parliamentary ears were ringing that this isn’t the only thing that’s needed: our works for everyone. with Demos ideas. manifesto set out a future for British politics built on consensus, involving people and working Through a varied Westminster events programme, across party lines. Our role is to continue to model our party conference events and media coverage, this approach and to come up with policy ideas we had conversations that mattered in 2019. Our that will ultimately make life better for those who research was featured in or on all major print and need change most. broadcast media, and Demos voices contributed to discussions on a wide range of subjects - from disinformation and the future of the internet, to government procurement and financial inclusion.

“Our new brand represents optimism: our belief that Maeve Thompson, Director of External asking people and Affairs Polly Mackenzie, listening to what Chief Executive of Demos, on BBC they say can solve Question Time the most challenging March 2019 of our social problems and that any government Dominic Raab MP, giving opening remarks at Demos’ and Lord has the ability to succeed if Shinkwin’s Able to Excel launch the needs, experiences and July 2019 voices of citizens are foremost in its policymaking.” 10 11 FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN A DIGITAL PARTY WORLD: CASH, CASHLESSNESS AND CHOICE

Demos and Mastercard brought this event to CONFERENCE 2019 both Labour and Conservative conferences to discuss how we can ensure that the financial In the lead up to the 2019 Party Conference season We’d like to thank all of our partners for the 2019 inclusion agenda can benefit from, rather than there was speculation that they might not go Party Conference season, in particular those who be hindered by, the digital age. ahead at all. Uncertainty following the Conservative partnered with us for events at multiple conferences. Our Labour Conference panellists were Seema leadership race and rumours of an imminent general For many of us, banking and easy access to Malhotra MP, Polly Mackenzie, Jennifer Duncan, election abounded. More so than ever before, building cross-party the digital payments infrastructure are taken Director, Government and Public Sector at consensus on policy challenges is essential to for granted facilitators of our everyday lives. MasterCard UK&I, Sir Mark Boleat, Chairman of Added into the mix was the prorogation (and achieving lasting change and at Demos we’re With more recent expansions of contactless LINK, Richard Piggin, Head of External Affairs subsequent de-prorogation) of Parliament. But the looking forward to furthering these discussions in the cards and smartphone payments, people are and Campaigns at Which?, and Colleen Murray, show must go on, and all these events lent this year’s 2020 Conference season. increasingly going cashless. The decline of cash Head of International Policy at Square. season a heightened sense of being right in the use has been raising questions about whether middle of national political conversations. Britain is ready to transition to a cashless At Conservative Conference, Polly was economy. joined by Mark Barnett, Division President at Demos went on to host more than 20 events Mastercard UK, Ireland, Nordics and Baltics, across Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative Party But not everyone has equal access to, or John Howells, CEO of LINK, Caroline Normand, Conferences. We partnered with 11 different levels of participation in, the digital payments Director of Advocacy at Which?, and Colleen organisations and convened over 80 speakers, with infrastructure. This leaves them at risk of being Murray, Head of International Policy at Square. over 20 parliamentarians. excluded from the mainstream economy. In this time of transitioning importance for cash, engaging with issues of access to cash and digital literacy are crucial.

DEMOS WELCOME RECEPTIONS ACROSS THE Demos partnered with Huawei to host drinks receptions at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this year. CONFERENCES It was a forum for party members, parliamentarians, and the business community to meet Demos staff and researchers to discuss policy and the importance of cross- party collaboration in policymaking. At Labour Conference Demos was joined by Polly Mackenzie, Demos Chief Stephen Kinnock MP and Yvette Cooper MP and at Conservative Conference we were Executive, welcoming attendees joined by Helen Whately MP. at our drinks reception September 2019

12 13 WHY LOCALISM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER PEOPLE POWER: HOW THE CITY MONEY TALKS: HARNESSING THE COULD TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE POWER OF INDIVIDUAL SAVERS In a country polarised not only by Left and Right, At Labour Conference, our panellists were Polly (WITH A NUDGE IN THE RIGHT FOR TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE but also Leave and Remain, few agendas are able Mackenzie, Nick Tyrone, Chief Executive of the DIRECTION) to inspire consensus. Localism, however, might Effective Governance Initiative, Cllr Judith Blake be one of them. With the events of the past few CBE, Leader of Leeds City Council and Lord Demos and Aviva Investors hosted panels at At Conservative Conference, the panel focused months front and centre in the mind, Demos and Beecham, House of Lords Shadow Spokesperson, Labour and Conservative conferences to discuss on the power of individual savers. As individuals the Effective Governance Initiative convened Communities and Local Government. how businesses and individual investors could become increasingly conscious of how their this panel at Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative help to tackle climate change. personal investments can have an impact – At Conservative Conference, our panellists were conferences to discuss opportunities for how their money talks – they can also hold Bim Afolami MP, Nick Tyrone, Chief Executive constitutional reform and movement towards At Labour Conference, the focus was on the companies accountable when it comes to their of the Effective Governance Initiative, and Lord more efficient, effective and inclusive governance. role of the City of London, and how, as one of sustainability performance. Porter of Spalding. the world’s leading financial sectors, it’s well At Lib Dem Conference, our panellists were placed to champion a national response to Considering the scale of the effort needed to Christine Jardine MP, Nick Tyrone, Chief the climate emergency and set a precedent tackle climate change, businesses, financial Executive of the Effective Governance Initiative, worldwide. There is growing recognition that services, policymakers and regulators need Polly Mackenzie, Baroness Thornhill and Dr Mark what the City of London chooses to invest in to work together. The panel discussed how Pack, Associate Director at Teneo. can lead the way in ensuring a greener, cleaner individual consumers can play a role in making and healthier economy. this happen. Our panellists were Polly Mackenzie, Marte Our panellists were Neil Parish MP, Marte Borhaug, Head of ESG Strategic Projects Borhaug, Head of ESG Strategic Projects at at Aviva Investors, Karen Ellis, Director of Aviva Investors, Dame Julie Mellor DBE, Chair Sustainable Economy at the WWF, and Charles of Demos, Michael Kind, Campaign Manager Seaford, Senior Fellow at Demos. at ShareAction, Richard Hardyment, Research Director at the World Benchmarking Alliance, and Charles Seaford, Senior Fellow at Demos.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION COMMISSION DRINKS RECEPTIONS

Demos partnered with the Financial Inclusion Commission - an independent body of experts drawn from UK politics, senior management in financial services, businesses and the charity sector, national regulators and academia - to host their annual drinks receptions at Labour Speakers included Sir Sherard Cowper- and Conservative conferences. Coles, representing the Financial Inclusion Commission, and Dana Haidan of Visa. Financial exclusion remains a significant challenge for 21st century Britain, a nation At Labour Conference Seema Malhotra MP Money Talks: Harnessing the which prides itself on being a global leader in spoke, a Financial Inclusion Commissioner power of individual savers financial services. More needs to be done, and herself; and at Conservative Conference the the Commission champions financial inclusion Commission were joined by John Glen MP, for tackling climate change. A as a public policy priority, working with policy Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City panel discussion at Conservative makers and a wide range of stakeholders to Minister. come up with practical policy proposals for Conference government, business and civil society. October 2019

14 15 HOW CAN COMMUNITY ENERGY POWER BETTER PLACES AND SUPPORT A GREEN TRANSITION? LIB DEM

Demos and Power To Change hosted this panel a failure to properly support the sector in recent to discuss the role and future of community years, the future of community energy now looks CONFERENCE energy in the UK’s transition to a green economy. threatened. Community energy schemes are leading the way Our panellists included: Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP, in shaping a cleaner, fairer approach to the way Wera Hobhouse MP, Polly Mackenzie, Vidhya that the UK generates and distributes energy. As Alakeson, Chief Executive of Power to Change, a result, leveraging the sector’s potential will be Rachel Coxcoon, District Cllr & Cabinet Member essential if the UK is to meet its net zero carbon for Planning Policy, Climate Change & Energy at emissions target by 2050. Cotswold District Council, and Ryan Shea, Senior Associate, PUBLIC. Community energy can also give local residents access to cheaper energy and reduce fuel FINANCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH poverty. By reinvesting surpluses back into the FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY local area, community energy schemes encourage thriving rural and urban communities. But given Demos and Wagestream hosted this panel to With people’s available financial options discuss how innovation can help overcome often restricted by factors such as precarious problems of financial exclusion and ensure that employment, health conditions, or where they everyone is enabled to move towards greater live, it is often those most in need of good financial security. financial products and services that are denied access to them. But these problems are not Financial inclusion enables people to more insurmountable – designing early interventions, easily manage and be in control of their money. or new, tailored products to support people can It means being able to transfer money easily help reduce financial exclusion. and securely; being supported and able to save money; engaging in transactions without Our panellists were Neil Sherlock CBE, Rt facing high fees and charges; and accessing Hon Sir Vince Cable MP, Archie Chappel, credit without fear of excessive and escalating Strategic Affairs Director at Wagestream, Sacha repayments. But the reality for many is quite the Hilhorst, Senior Researcher at Demos and Kirsty opposite – for instance, 1.23 million people in Good, Head of Campaigns, PR and Social at the UK do not have access to a bank account. MoneySavingExpert.com.

THE JOBS THAT DON’T EXIST YET - THE FUTURE OF TALENT

Demos and PwC convened this panel to discuss organisational complexity and human creativity how we can prepare for jobs that don’t exist yet, have consistently created new and unexpected highlighting the opportunities and challenges jobs. associated with an increasingly automated world and workforce. Our panellists included Neil Sherlock CBE, Polly Mackenzie, Alastair Woods, Partner at PwC, and With the coming fourth industrial revolution, Siobhan Benita, Liberal Democrat Candidate for there is concern about jobs being disaggregated Mayor of London 2020. or even disappearing entirely. But, as with every previous industrial revolution, there will be new tasks, roles, and even professions to fill the gap. Technology, urbanisation, population demands,

16 17 MIND THE GAP: NEW APPROACHES TO TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITY

Demos and JUUL convened this panel at Labour Our panellists were Helen Goodman MP, Polly Conference to discuss solutions to the gulf in Mackenzie, Max Chambers, Director, Government health provision across the country, and how tech and Public Affairs at JUUL, and Helen Milner OBE, Stephen Kinnock MP could be the answer to the UK’s most pressing Chief Executive of the Good Things Foundation. public health battles. at the Demos drinks reception Health inequalities are described by the NHS as ‘preventable, unfair and unjust’ – so in the September 2019 21st century, why do they still persist? Health Foundation research has shown that the risk of preventable death is higher in more deprived local areas, with people living in these areas at risk of developing long term health conditions as much as ten years earlier. Digital innovations are starting to be used to address both physical and mental health inequalities – but there is a long way to go.

THE CLASS CEILING: BARRIERS TO SOCIAL MOBILITY IN THE UK TODAY

LABOUR Demos and The Investment Association convened Cummings, CEO of The Investment Association, The Class Ceiling panel to discuss the value of Claire Ainsley, Executive Director of The Joseph diversity in businesses and what government and Rowntree Foundation and Duncan Exley, Author, CONFERENCE employers can do to promote social mobility. The End of Aspiration?. Despite vocal committment from every political party, increasing social mobility remains a challenge. Our panel discussed how to widen opportunities and reward talent, whilst at the same time valuing diversity. BOOMERS VS MIILLENNIALS: CAN DECENT HOMES BE DELIVERED The panel was joined by Seema Malhotra MP, WITHOUT INTERGENERATIONAL CONFLICT? Harry Carr, Director of Innovation at Demos, Chris

Demos and Homes for Later Living convened Our panellists included Alex Cunningham MP, this panel to discuss how the provision of older Polly Mackenzie, Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of people’s housing might help to unlock the the Royal Town Planning Institute, John Tonkiss, housing market and boost the economy in a way Chief Executive of McCarthy & Stone and Caitlin that will also minimise intergenerational tension Wilkinson, Director of Policy, Generation Rent. over housing. Housing policy doesn’t need to be a zero- sum game, or part of an intergenerational war: insightful policymaking and support for retirement housing can bring the generations together in mutual benefit.

18 19 RESEARCH 4.0: WILL ROBOTS REPLACE RESEARCHERS?

Demos and Jisc hosted this panel to discuss However, it is vital to ensure that the findings how technology will change the way research of ‘automated research’ can be trusted and is conducted. We also launched the interim that research is conducted in a way that HEALTHIER, LONGER LIVES: THE report of our research project on the same minimises the potential for harm. CONTRIBUTION OF SPORT AND EXERCISE topic. Our panellists were Lord James SCIENCE EDUCATION It is widely acknowledged that society is on O’Shaughnessy, Dr Paul Feldman, Chief the cusp of dramatic change due to advances Executive of Jisc, Ben Glover, Senior Demos and The Physiological Society convened Yet the panel recognised a greater contribution Researcher at Demos, Dr Sarah Main, in technology such as AI and automation. This this panel to discuss how Sport and Exercise still - in helping to halt the trends of inactivity that is likely to have important implications for the Executive Director of Campaign for Science Science education can have a positive impact on are fuelling the country’s preventable diseases. research sector. It will change the way research and Engineering, James Crouch, Research society, and lead to healthier, longer lives. is carried out and what research it is even Manager at Opinium Research, and Polly Our panellists included George Freeman MP, possible to carry out. Mackenzie. A report by The Physiological Society and Dame Julie Mellor DBE, Chair of Demos, Nick GuildHE published earlier in 2019 showed that Chamberlin, Policy Manager at British Cycling, Sport and Exercise Science graduates contribute Alison Giles, Joint Associate Director of Healthy £7.8 billion to society and the public purse, Ageing at the Centre for Ageing Better, and through higher earnings, added tax revenue and Dr John Rogers, Sport and Exercise Medicine savings to public services. Consultant at the Manchester Institute for Health and Performance. CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE

IN CONVERSATION WITH RT HON NICKY MORGAN MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DCMS

Demos’ Director of CASM, Alex Krasodomski- Jones, sat down with Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, to discuss what we can be doing to promote an internet for good, and bring into being a strategy focused on maximising the positive potential of Polly Mackenzie, Lord the internet. Where some national governments have articulated their vision for the internet, it is O’Shaughnessy and Dr Paul In the race to design and redesign the internet, an authoritarian one, aimed at restricting the Feldman on Research 4.0: will Western democracies have fallen behind, power of the internet to promote democratic robots replace researchers? panel focusing on what we don’t want, and forgetting participation, freedom of expression and a about what we do want. A broad focus on healthy information space. harms and failures has taken precedence in October 2019 governments and in the media at the expense of This conversation continued Demos’ work to a clear articulation of the web we want to see. move towards a more positive vision.

20 21 And we are bringing this together with our in- “This is also a time of house polling capability to develop a new model of ‘deliberative polling’ - conducting surveys before and real opportunity. There after deliberative events to measure their impact. is widespread appetite Britain has never been more polarised. There is open hostility between different political factions, and for change and a rare endemic mistrust in the institutions and people that A YEAR OF opportunity to mould the design and implement policy. This is also a time of real opportunity. There zeitgeist for those who can is widespread appetite for change and a rare INNOVATION opportunity to mould the zeitgeist for those who can articulate a compelling articulate a compelling vision of what that change vision of what that change should look like. The Public Participation Lab will allow Demos should look like.” to take advantage of this opportunity and help fix the political crisis - bringing people together, Demos is proud to announce that in 2020 we’ll be With our native understanding of the sector, it allows We are also working to make more traditional encouraging mutual understanding and public launching a new Public Participation Lab - a suite of us to cater our quantitative research offering for deliberative events - such as citizens’ assemblies and engagement, and giving citizens a voice at the tools allowing organisations and service providers organisations driving social change and ensures citizens’ juries - more widely accessible by using new centre of the policymaking process. to put the people they serve at the centre of their the highest standard of methodological rigour and technology to drive down costs. We are using video decision-making and policy design. We want to sample quality. conferencing apps to reduce incentive costs and make it easy for everyone to involve citizens in policy eliminate travel and hosting costs, and also facilitate work, as we do every day at Demos. We are bringing this together with our existing engagement in ways it is more difficult or impossible world-leading analysis of ‘natural language’ big data to do face-to-face. The Public Participation Lab integrates three strands in CASM - integrating our expertise in social media of work - polling, ‘natural language’ big data analytics with polling data to produce new, layered analysis, and deliberation. analysis of key public issues. We are also working to strengthen our network mapping tools to allow us to overlay sentiment analytics and topic classification “This enables Demos - providing a groundbreaking tool to identify, understand and visualise the key drivers of public to provide a uniquely opinion online. integrated research service, Together with these, we are bringing a new emphasis to deliberative research - in particular developing with polling experience new technology and new uses of existing technology to make deliberation more affordable and feasible Harry Carr “Demos is proud to and expertise ingrained for a wider variety of organisations and service announce that in 2020 in the research team and providers. Director of We are adapting the open source tool Polis, which Innovation we’ll be launching a integrated with every other will allow policymakers and service providers to new Public Participation uncover and understand the problems and priorities aspect of research design.” of citizens in their own words, providing qualitative Lab - a suite of tools data at scale - and applying machine learning to This year we have developed a new in-house polling visualize the opinion landscape and identify points of allowing organisations capability, conducting nationally representative consensus and divergence. and service providers to surveys online. Demos is now a member of the Respondents can be shown information relevant British Polling Council and a Market Research Society to the topic, before being invited to make their put the people they serve company partner. This enables Demos to provide own statements expressing their views - and a uniquely integrated research service, with polling indicate whether they agree or disagree with other at the centre of their decision- experience and expertise ingrained in the research respondents’ statements. This quickly builds a large team and integrated with every other aspect of matrix, which the built-in system of AI analytics making and policy design.” research design. uses to identify opinion clusters and show how they interact, in real time.

22 23 FROM OUR CHAIR OUR PARTNERS

Demos was founded in 1993 by people who Demos has spent time over the last year FOR 2019 saw a crisis in politics. They founded Demos refining its ideas on how it wants to contribute with the objective of drawing together to the political and policy challenges we face different people, ideas and expertise to today, and our clarity of mission is evident improve politics and public policy. Then their in this review. We have recruited new board concerns were declining voter engagement members to embed our cross-party approach. and political institutions not adapting to social We have also built our capability to work with change. Today we are responding to division, the public in new and innovative ways to bring upheaval and outrage. But our purpose at their values, motivations and experience into Demos is the same: to draw people together our political and policy work. Like Polly, I am to improve both politics and public policy. very excited about what we can contribute to helping Britain come together during 2020.

Dame Julie Mellor DBE Chair of Trustees

Leaders in fraud prevention

24 25 Demos is a champion of people, ideas and democracy. We bring people together. We bridge divides. We listen and we understand. We are practical about the problems we face, but endlessly optimistic and ambitious about our capacity, together, to overcome them. At a crossroads in Britain’s history, we need ideas for renewal, reconnection and the restoration of hope. Challenges from populism to climate change remain unsolved, and a technological revolution dawns, but the centre of politics has been intellectually paralysed. Demos will change that. We can counter the impossible promises of the political extremes, and challenge despair – by bringing to life an aspirational narrative about the future of Britain that is rooted in the hopes and ambitions of people from across our country. Demos is an independent, educational charity, registered in England and Wales. (Charity Registration no. 1042046)

Find out more at www.demos.co.uk