Below are the research project posters that Bennett Institute researchers shared with delegates during the Bennett Institute Annual Conference 2025.
Productivity growth has been low in many major economies since the 2008 financial crisis. Our research examines whether greater digitalisation can lead to higher productivity growth in the transport sector – a sector that represents a key part of global supply chains, yet is one of the least digitalised.
In July 2024, the UK Government announced its plans to deliver the ‘next generation of new towns’. But the success of these new towns will require far more than just houses; it hinges on the provision of community facilities that foster interaction and connectivity among residents. This report explores what we can learn from the UK’s post-war New Towns programme about the delivery and long-term maintenance of social infrastructure in new developments.
Measuring social and cultural infrastructure – by Rosa Marks
Over the last few years, there has been increasing recognition in academic and policy circles of the importance of social and cultural infrastructure in the lives of communities. However, up until now, there has been no consistent way of measuring this phenomenon. Funded by the British Academy, this project provides a novel approach to defining and measuring social and cultural infrastructure.
Mapping the AI literature – by John Lourenze Poquiz and Lucy Hampton
This study conducts a systematic review of the economics of AI literature using topic modelling. It finds that AI adoption, manufacturing, and AI in HR dominate published research. It also finds some divergence between the topics from published works and AI working papers.
Exploring economic strengths and addressing productivity challenges in East Anglia – by Burcu Sevde Selvi
This research highlights a range of cross-cutting themes underpinning multiple dimensions of regional economic development and productivity in East Anglia, such as skills, sustainability, infrastructure, and governance. By identifying these regional disparities and interconnected issues, we aim to
guide strategic efforts that promote inclusive growth and strengthen the region’s long-term economic development.
The Council of the Nations and Regions, and UK intergovernmental relations – by Alex Walker
The prevailing narrative frames international AI governance as a zero-sum competition where institutional fragmentation undermines effective coordination. Our research challenges this assumption with evidence that domain-specific approaches transform policy fragmentation into functional
complementarity that enhances international cooperation.
Beyond AI zero-sum: domain specific pathways for international AI cooperation – by Aleksei Turobov
The prevailing narrative frames international AI governance as a zero-sum competition where institutional fragmentation undermines effective coordination. Our research challenges this assumption with evidence that domain-specific approaches transform policy fragmentation into functional
complementarity that enhances international cooperation.
Measuring and estimating shadow prices – by Julia Wdowin
Comprehensive wealth accounting maintains that measuring stocks of different types of capitals is crucial to getting a better idea about the progress of an economy. Yet, many capital assets, especially belonging to the ‘missing capitals’ categories, have significant non-market features. This
project works to develop methods for measuring the social welfare value of missing capital assets that do not have a market price, or whose market price does not reflect their broader social worth.
