Chair: Professor Francesca Gains

Panel: Martin Stanley, formerly senior civil servant in the Department for Business (now BIS), author of the widely read 'How To Be A Civil Servant' book and Honorary Fellow of The University of Manchester. Dr Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary's University London, former Head of Policy Planning in No 10 and Vice-Chair of the think tank Policy Network. Dr Nick Turnbull, The University of Manchester and Professor David Richards, The University of Manchester.

Academics are increasingly aware of the importance of generating impact from their research and of the need to communicate policy relevant research findings and influence policy makers. Officials are urged to act to enhance public value and deliver good governance. But navigating the politics of policy advice presents challenges when researchers and officials seek to speak 'truth unto power'. This session aims to surface the issues researches, politicians and policy makers face when engaging in a dialogue about evidence which may be unpalatable, challenging or downright contentious.