The London Policy Lab
Practical insight. Tested ideas. Real world impact.
The London Policy Lab works with partners to tackle complex challenges facing the capital – using evidence, design and collaboration to move from insight to action.
Drawing on cutting edge policy innovation from around the world, the Policy Lab combines rigorous research with people‑centred methods to help develop, test and refine solutions that can work in practice. Our focus is on improving policymaking and its impact on Londoners’ lives.
See our previous work with partners through the London Policy Lab
What we do
The London Policy Lab supports organisations working on difficult, fast‑moving or entrenched policy issues where traditional approaches aren’t enough.
We work alongside partners from across the public, private and civil society sectors to better understand challenges, explore new ideas and test what works — before scaling solutions more widely.
How the London Policy Lab works
Our approach is evidence-led, experimental and collaborative. This includes:
- Co designing solutions to complex problems, drawing on robust evidence, and people’s insights and experience – from experts and policymakers to grassroots organisations and communities.
- Building insight and shared understanding between Londoners, stakeholders and decision makers.
- Prototyping and testing ideas through practical, time bound projects.
- Improving education helping partners understand what impact policies and programmes are really having.
Who we work with
The London Policy Lab works with organisations that want to ask better questions – and are open to trying new ways of finding answers.
Our partners include local authorities, public bodies, funders, charities, developers, cultural organisations and businesses working on London’s biggest challenges.
What partners get
Insight you can use
Independent analysis grounded in evidence, experience and practical constraints.
A safe space to explore ideas
Structured but open conversations that allow assumptions to be tested and thinking to evolve.
Support from start to finish
From defining the problem to developing, testing and evaluating the solutions.
How does the London Policy Lab add value
- Exploring how policies affect different communities in practice.
- Designing and testing new approaches before wider rollout.
- Bringing together unlikely partners to unlock progress.
- Evaluating what’s working (and what isn’t) so learning isn’t lost.
Working with the London Policy Lab
Working with the Policy Lab brings you into a collaborative process – shaped by evidence, informed by people’s experience and designed to deliver insight you can act on. Every commission is tailored to the question, context and partners involved.
Get in touch
If you have a question you want to explore, a challenge you’re grappling with, or an idea you want to try out, we’d love to talk.
Contact us at partnerships@centreforlondon.org