Policy Connect is hosting a Parliamentary reception for university research and innovation leaders to discuss how our partnerships with Universities can increase the policy impact of applied and social scientific research.

Since the advent of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), there has been an even greater focus on academic research gaining policy impact. As a result of this development Policy Connect has been further developing its relationships with universities, including members of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN).

A number of institutions now partner with us for our policy inquiries. Beyond this, we have become for the first time co-investigators in four separate Research Council bids to deliver non-technical Parliamentary policy reports and follow up roundtables to accompany academic research.

The afternoon will provide an opportunity to develop a greater understanding with universities about how Policy Connect can collaborate with Universities to deliver policy impact for academic research.

Speakers will include:

Jonathan Shaw: Chief Executive, Policy Connect
Daniel Zeichner: Member of Parliament for Cambridge and Chair of the Universities All-Party Parliamentary Group
Dr Keith MacLean OBE: Policy Connect advisor, Chair of the EPSRC Scientific Advisory Council and Chair of UK Energy Research Centre
Oona Muirhead CBE: Policy Connect business advisor, former civil servant
Stephen Meek: Chair, Universities Policy Engagement Network

The event will conclude with an informal drinks and networking reception.

For 25 years Policy Connect has been delivering cross-party policy events and research reports in Parliament to improve public policy. Our teams of policy experts focus on four specialist areas: health, education & skills, industry & innovation, and sustainability.

Alongside policymakers, business leaders and third sector organisations, universities and academic experts have always been key contributors to our work.

Our outputs are frequently recognised in the Research Excellence Framework, select committee and government reports, Parliamentary debates as well as national and sectorial media outlets. Ministers and shadow ministers regularly attend our events and receive our briefings. We have developed excellent relationships across government departments and civil servant teams and host civil service fast streamers on six-month secondments on a bi-annual basis. We therefore have the intelligence to anticipate the direction of travel for many policy areas.

Our close work with our university members and sponsors, which includes placements for PhD candidates at Policy Connect, enables us to inform the development of academic research to achieve the greatest possible policy impact.

Policy Impact Partnerships for Universities