Insights

Insights to understand the global political world with clarity

We work on independent, rigorous, and accessible research that clarifies political and geopolitical trends shaping societies. Our work informs public debate and ensures that citizens, institutions, and organisations have access to analysis free from partisanship and misinformation.

Three minutes, once a day, to understand one political development that matters.

Each briefing gives you a clear snapshot of what is happening, who is involved, why it matters to you, and what is likely to happen next. Complex issues from EU tech regulation to elections in the Middle East are unpacked in plain language so you can stay one step ahead.

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A weekly subscription that connects the dots across the big themes shaping our future: UK Politics; Law and Politics; Climate and Instability; Technology and Innovation; and Economics and Markets.

In each edition, our analysts break down several key developments in their field, explain what they mean, and outline what might come next: for your pocketbook, your studies, or your career. Briefings combine impartial written analysis with interviews, data visuals and the chance to put questions directly to our team.

You can start with a themed briefing like UK Politics and then unlock the full series for less than the price of a coffee each month, helping sustain independent, ad‑free analysis for readers in over 100 countries.

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Polis’ hub for understanding how the new information age is reshaping democracy and public life.

Through research, submissions to policymakers, and our Debunked newsletter, the Observatory investigates how fake news, misinformation, and platform design influence what people believe and how they see the world and what can be done about it. Readers can access Debunked by signing up to the free Daily Briefing and follow our work with universities, regulators, and civil society.

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Our next-generation team of experts combined with our large student and young professional audiences mean Polis is uniquely placed to research and explore the growing political and policy challenge of intergenerational unfairness. Changes in the job market, funding for higher education, a higher tax burden, pressures on social media, shifts in life expectancy and greater pressure on public services is leading to greater discrepancies between generations. With young people experiencing lower trust in institutions, reduced voter turnout and fewer economic opportunities, research, analysis and policy engagement grounded in evidence is urgently needed to fix the rupturing of our social contract.

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Our Reports

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SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Challenges to Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Between Climate Shocks and Fertiliser Shortages

Keir Fairley, Rishaan Uttamchandani, Uzdah Jawaid, Samantha LiPuma, Ella Burden, and Langa Cele, Tamta Pantsulaia, Lilu Toidze-Limin, Marco Julio Rojo Salazar, and Caio Niemitz-Rossant

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

State Management of Kurdish Armed Actors in the Middle East

Oliver Quatermaine, Artyom Papyan, Ammarah Ali, Ishaan Garg, Rachel Brooks (Editorial), Tamta Pantsulaia (Editorial), and Caio Niemitz-Rossant (Editorial)

EUROPE

Russia’s Hybrid Pressure on Europe’s Eastern Flank Since 2022

Jasmin Messaoudi, Edzhe Miteva, Rita Fernández Pérez, Cristina De Masi, Yassine Battah, Nana Katsia

CLIMATE

Water for AI: Permitting, Public Backlash, and the Politics of Data Centre Water Use

Jason Dirks, Isha Agarwal, Devanshi Godbole, Jaemal Fergus, Josie Partridge, Archie Routledge (Editorial), Ema Canning (Editorial), and Caio Niemitz-Rossant (Editorial)

Events

Creating the Conditions for Informed Decisions

We prepare leaders to confront uncertainty by bringing together decision-makers, experts, and practitioners in trusted forums. Through high-level conferences, roundtables, and closed-door discussions, Polis creates spaces where ideas are tested, assumptions are challenged, and complex global developments are translated into practical insight.