Leeds Policy Institute
| Abbreviation | LPI |
|---|---|
| Formation | April 2023 |
| Founder | Nicolas Padula Pinho |
| Type | Think tank |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | Leeds, United Kingdom |
| Location | |
| Fields | Public policy, Economics, Social policy, Energy policy, Foreign policy, Health policy |
Membership | 100+ |
| Affiliations | Leeds University Union |
| Website | leedspolicyinstitute |
The Leeds Policy Institute (LPI) is an independent, non-partisan, student-led think tank based at the University of Leeds and affiliated with Leeds University Union.[1] Established in April 2023, the institute conducts empirically driven policy research addressing both local and national challenges within the United Kingdom.[2] The institute is listed in the international Open Think Tank Directory maintained by On Think Tanks.[2]
History
The Leeds Policy Institute was founded in April 2023 by Nicolas Padula Pinho, a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) student at the University of Leeds, with the aim of providing undergraduate and postgraduate students a platform for rigorous public policy research and analysis.[3] The organisation grew to over 100 members within its first year of operation. In December 2025, the LPI was awarded a grant under On Think Tanks' "Building for the Future" initiative, aimed at strengthening its research impact, institutional resilience, and capacity to host multi-regional conferences.[4]
Organisation
Governance
The Leeds Policy Institute is overseen by an annually elected student committee responsible for the day-to-day management of the organisation, the implementation of its strategic vision, and the development of external partnerships. Elections are held annually, with all members eligible to vote. Committee members serve for one academic year.[5]
To support the integrity and accuracy of its research, the LPI maintains an Academic Advisory Council consisting of experts and professors at the University of Leeds who review its yearly publications.[3]
Research areas
The institute divides its research operations into six policy areas, each supported by members of the Academic Advisory Council:[3]
- Macro Policy
- Foreign Policy
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Social Policy
- Markets Research
- Health Policy
Research and publications
Reports
The LPI publishes annual research report series. By 2026, the institute had produced three yearly series:[6]
- 2024 series — five reports covering topics including nuclear energy policy, Bank of England forecasting, digital market regulation, hidden homelessness, and climate devolution.
- 2025 series — five reports including analysis of centralised growth policy, childcare regional inequality, and fiscal devolution.
- 2026 series — six reports covering school absence policy, council tax reform, Brexit's impact on capital-raising, centralised trade policy, NHS polyclinics, and energy-efficient housing inequality.
In addition to annual reports, members publish policy briefs, opinion pieces, and articles through the institute's website and its Observer publication on Substack.[3]
Media appearances
The institute's research and commentary have been featured in major national publications and broadcasters. Members have written for the Financial Times, including an article by Hubert Kucharski arguing for Norway-style national service (January 2026),[7] and a piece by Nicolas Padula Pinho and Hubert Kucharski on Bank of England forecasting.[8] Members have also contributed to CapX[9] and the Institute of Economic Affairs.[10]
Nicolas Padula Pinho, the institute's founder, appeared on BBC Breakfast in October 2024 to discuss minimum wage standards.[11]
Academic conferences
LPI researchers have presented their work at multiple editions of the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR), including at the London School of Economics in 2024,[12][13] at Newcastle University in 2025,[14][15] and at the University of Glasgow in 2026.[16][17]
In May 2026, the institute's leadership presented at the 10th annual On Think Tanks Conference in Rabat, Morocco, outlining its future vision and hybrid think tank model.[18][19]
Committee
The institute is led by a President, supported by a Vice President and committee heads covering Research, Data Analysis, Media and Communications, Public Affairs, and Treasury functions.[5]
| Year | President | Vice President | Head of Research | Head of Data Analysis | Head of Media & Comms | Head of Public Affairs | Secretary | Treasurer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–2026 | Joseph Clark | Ruby Bell | Sasha Johnson | Rares Dascalu | Hubert Kucharski | Adhiraj Kumar | (VP & Secretary combined) | Oscar Bradshaw |
| 2024–2025 | Nicolas Padula Pinho | Rares Dascalu | Cass Leftley | Hubert Kucharski | Donatella Petrucci | Joseph Clark | Diogo Ferreira | Adrian Kubiak |
| 2023–2024 | Nicolas Padula Pinho | Ruby Bell | Hubert Kucharski | — | Archie Ryan | Joseph Clark | Diogo Ferreira | Natasha Dawson |
See also
External links
- Official website
- Leeds Policy Institute at On Think Tanks
- Leeds Policy Institute at Leeds University Union
References
- ↑ "Leeds Policy Institute". Leeds University Union. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Leeds Policy Institute". On Think Tanks. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "About Us". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Building for the Future". On Think Tanks. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Committee". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Reports". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Kucharski, Hubert (January 2026). "UK needs Norway-style national service to fight rise of populism". Financial Times.
- ↑ "Bernanke's sound words will fall flat on deaf ears". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Kucharski, Hubert (June 2023). "Flexible labour markets prove a better alternative to industrial policy". CapX.
- ↑ Kucharski, Hubert. "Inflation: there will be no soft landing". Institute of Economic Affairs. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Setting a new standard for the minimum wage". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "BCUR 2024". London School of Economics. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Leeds Policy Institute presents research at the London School of Economics". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "BCUR 2025". Newcastle University. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Leeds Policy Institute presents at Newcastle University". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "BCUR 2026". University of Glasgow. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Leeds Policy Institute Presents at BCUR 2026". Leeds Policy Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "OTT Conference 2026". On Think Tanks. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lessons from OTT's 2026 School: A hybrid think tank model". On Think Tanks. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
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Category:Think tanks based in the United Kingdom Category:Student organizations established in 2023 Category:University of Leeds Category:2023 establishments in England Category:Organisations based in Leeds
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