Inaugural lecture: Using the best social science to inform the education and care of children – Professor Leon Feinstein
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Abstract
Stepping into a new position as the Director of the Department of Education at the University of Oxford, Professor Leon Feinstein has spent his career to date at the intersection of universities, government and local authorities. In his inaugural lecture for this new role, Leon will consider how the dynamic between evidence, information, policy and practice has evolved. In a world of AI, What Works centres, fake news, doomscrolling, social polarisation and increasing inequality, the lecture will consider what counts as evidence and what this means for those seeking to use the best social science to inform the education and care of children.
Bio
Leon Feinstein is the Director for the Department of Education and Professor of Education and Children’s Social Care.
From 2021-2025 Leon was Director of the Rees Centre, based at the Department, conducting research in relation to children’s social care. Before joining Oxford in 2019, Leon held positions as Director of Evidence at the Children’s Commissioner’s Office, Director of Evidence at the Early Intervention Foundation and Chief Analyst in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit in HM Treasury.
Leon has a PhD in Economics from University College London, an MSc in Economics and an MA in European Literature. Leon is a Fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences.
For 30 years Leon has worked at the intersection of policy, practice and research, with a particular focus on systems for the implementation of policy in relation to children’s rights and human development.
Leon has written and edited publications for both academic audiences and reports for policy and practice. Leon has led numerous large projects, leading and supporting interdisciplinary teams of researchers to produce research to inform attempts to reduce inequality and improve lives, experiences and outcomes for children and young people.
