Looking back over my first year at the Nuffield Foundation – set out within the pages of this report – I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved so far. Having published an ambitious new strategy in 2025, we’re now firmly engaged in putting it into practice. We are doing this through collaboration – it has been thought provoking and inspiring to work with, and learn from, such a diverse range of organisations, experts and practitioners.
Responding to a changing landscape
If ever a reminder was needed of the importance of our work, 2025 provided it. Political and economic disruption, at home and globally, has created further instability for policymakers and the public. The need for authoritative evidence, and for bringing that evidence to decision-makers in a timely way, has never been more crucial. Equally vital is taking the longer view – building insight and expertise where it is needed while scanning the horizon for emerging issues. And the value of investing in newer priority areas from our Strategic Review – including trusted and effective institutions, demographic change, and the societal impacts of climate change and the transition to net zero – has only become clearer.
Focus on young people’s futures
Among many competing needs, we placed particular importance on our concerns for young people’s futures – a perennial Nuffield theme – especially post-16 transitions, SEND provision, and the risk of disengagement from education, employment, or training and how this can be addressed.
Investing in long-term research and impact
Landmark work supported by our Strategic Fund – such as The skills imperative 2035 and The Pissarides review, both completed in 2025 – demonstrates how ambitious long term research investment can contribute to national debate. Our new strategy makes this an ideal moment to reopen the Strategic Fund and support transformative, multidisciplinary research capable of shaping policy and practice. The first grants from the Racial Diversity UK Fund were awarded, seeding the development of a much needed portfolio of work providing timely insight on how to move towards a racially just and inclusive future. Alongside this, our in-house programmes Grown up? Journeys to adulthood, Public right to justice, and AI and education, produced a flow of insights on issues that have featured highly on news and policy agendas.
Strengthening insight through our expert centres
Nuffield’s expert centres – The Ada Lovelace Institute, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory – have all played key roles over the last year in advancing our purpose. Whether addressing new issues in bioethics, family justice or AI and emerging technologies, their work is a vital part of the Foundation’s commitment to tackle inequalities, promote inclusiveness and fairness, and ensure science and technology work for people and society. In 2025, we began implementing our first annual action plan for equity, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to ensure that our work, partnerships and organisational culture reflect the values underpinning our mission. This is an ongoing priority, with a year-two plan now underway.
Looking ahead with purpose
As we look ahead, and our exploration of newer thematic areas gathers pace, I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to our work this year – all our grant-holders, stakeholders, Trustees, and colleagues. Together, we will continue to champion evidence that shapes a more prosperous, fairer, and inclusive society and helps people lead better, more secure lives.
