Digital Social Security: Towards disciplinary or relational futures?

This paper, written for the British Academy, takes Universal Credit as an exemplar of existing approaches to the digitisation and automation of social security. Digitisation is a disciplinary instrument, shaped by underlying policy drivers and assumptions of uncooperative claimants. In contrast, some organisations are turning to relational models, which centre trusted human relationships. This paper examines the future direction of travel for digitised social security: more than one potential future is possible; what emerges will depend on the policy context in which it develops, and the attention given to exploring new models.

Automating public services: a careful approach

A report for Promising Trouble, outlining why the new government and public sector as a whole need to take a careful approach to automation in public services, including the use of AI. I explore and illustrate the risks which public bodies need to take into account when considering automation. I set out seven guiding principles to realise the benefits of automation while also putting human needs at the heart. 

Community Connectivity

A major programme of work with Promising Trouble, exploring the links between digital inclusion and health, which developed radical new models to understand digital exclusion and the social determinants of health, and a range of policy proposals to tackle digital exclusion at a systemic level.

publications, articles and briefings

Meeting young people where they are: towards a new model of essential digital support: a report for Promising Trouble exploring how young people find support online, and proposing a new person-centred model

Join the dots: The role of apprenticeship intermediaries in England: a report for IPPR looking at UK and international practice and making recommendations for English skills policy

Automating public services, an article published in Computer Weekly

DWP's 'automation' of universal credit discriminates against single mums, researchers say, article by Adele Walton in the Big Issue, based on research by me and Morgan Currie

Disabled benefit claimants are being unfairly targeted by a secret algorithm, an article for Huck Magazine

How gig workers are surveilling their employers, an article for Huck Magazine

Adopting Global Skills Innovation for the UK: a report written with the RSA looking at different models of vocational skills policy and implementation worldwide

The Failings of Universal Credit / Universal Basic Income, lessons for the UK: 2 companion briefings exploring UC’s problems and whether UBI principles can offer a solution, for Autonomy

What impact might Brexit have on low paid and low skilled workers? A ten-minute read briefing

A rapid review of low pay and progression evidence
Who is in low paid work, and what works to help them progress?

From Utopia to Implementation: How Basic Income has progressed from radical idea to legitimate policy solution
MSc dissertation summary

Free money wouldn’t make people lazy - but it could revolutionise work Guardian article

Basic Income’s transition from radical idea to legitimate policy article for Basic Income Earth Network