Devolution Hub
This hub showcases evidence-led insights from social science research to offer informed perspectives on devolved and sub-national government in the UK.
2026 is a critical year for devolution in the UK. Scotland will hold elections to Holyrood with the result arguably less predictable than any time since 2007. The Senedd will hold elections on new constituencies and under a new voting system with Welsh Labour widely expected to lose its dominance in Wales for the first time in a hundred years. In England, the devolution white paper will progress its way through the Union Parliament, fundamentally changing the landscape of mayoralties and combined authorities. And in Northern Ireland, we can expect a ramping up of political rhetoric ahead of Stormont elections in 2027.
The Campaign for Social Science Devolution Hub will seek to shine a light on these issues not just individually across the four nations, but also by asking how the different polities across the UK might learn from each other, and whether the inconsistencies of the UK’s devolution map are an inherent strength or a challenge for a harmonious union of regions and nations. Through written contributions, webinars and in-person events, drawing on expertise from Campaign supporters, learned societies from across social science disciplines, and others, we will garner the insights of leading social scientists on these important issues.
Forthcoming events
We have a range of events, both online and in-person, coming up exploring devolution in the UK.
What can England’s established devolved regions teach the ‘devolution deserts’? And how is English devolution evolving over time?”
As part of the Campaign for Social Science’s 2026 series on devolution, this event will unpack the different experiences of devolution in different parts of England, and ask what the established devolved regions might be able to teach the so-called ‘devolution deserts’ as they prepare to embrace new powers. We will ask what have been the ‘quick wins’ for combined authorities and mayors, what problems have been harder to address, and how the relationship between Westminster and regional leaders is changing. Our panel will also consider what further changes might be needed to England’s devolution landscape over the coming years. Our panellists are: Chair, Akash Paun: Programme Director at the Institute for Government; Prof. Andy Westwood: Professor of Public Policy, Government & Business at the University of Manchester; Prof. Georgina Blakely: Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning in the School of Human & Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield; Prof. John Boswell FAcSS: Professor in Politics & Public Policy, University of Southampton; Rebecca Gipp: Head of Strategic Innovation & Co-ordination, Essex County Council.
Photo Credit: Mangopear Creative on Unsplash
OnlineRegister hereCatch up: Can increasing happiness and improving wellbeing create economic growth?
As part of our Campaign for Social Science events programme exploring themes of both good growth and devolution, we hosted a webinar at the end of April where a panel of experts shared their insights on what social science research is telling us about the relationship between happiness and wellbeing and economic growth.
Catch up on our event recordings
If you missed any of our events exploring various aspects of devolution, you can catch up with the recordings linked to below.
Blog: Union Diplomacy: Can English Devolution strengthen the Union?
In this piece Jack Shaw of Groundwork Research, the Productivity Institute, and the Bennett School for Public Policy, explores whether English Devolution might strengthen the UK union by offering opportunities to develop partnerships between cities, regions and devolved administrations across all four nations.
Comment and analysis
Evidence-based commentary from leading social scientists offering perspectives and evidence-based ideas on how the different polities of the UK might learn from each other.
