New report reveals policy engagement is not consistently reflected in academic promotion structures

Policy engagement not consistently recognised in academic promotion structures 

Co-authors of the report, Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson, former UPEN Vice Chair for Arts and Humanities, and Laidlaw Scholar Pippa Lewin (both Durham University), found that policy-related impact criteria are often not clearly articulated in academic promotion frameworks, seldom visible in university mission statements, and is under-recognised in academic workload allocation.  

At a time when UK Higher Education faces many substantial challenges, policy engagement represents one way to exemplify the public value of universities and their net positive contribution to society.  Strengthening recognition for policy engagement, the report states, can support universities in enriching their research culture, delivering more effectively on civic missions, deepening relationships with the policy community, and accelerating evidence-informed decision-making. 

Co-author of the report, Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson, said: 

“As a policy-engaged researcher, and trainer of fellow academics, I am often asked whether policy engagement activity ‘counts’ for academic promotion. This is an important question for staff who are time-poor and ambition-rich. We found that policy engagement is often subsumed under academic citizenship, impact, knowledge exchange and public engagement in university strategies and policies. This report shows why it is important to recognise this activity within promotion structures and how doing so benefits researchers, universities and policy communities.” 

The report also highlights examples of emerging good practice in a range of universities. Case studies illuminate that much work is done by policy-engaged colleagues who describe themselves as ‘boundary spanners’, ‘pracademics’, or ‘atypical’.  

Co-author, Pippa Lewin, noted:

“These individuals are innovators, using research expertise to effect improvements in policy design and implementation. Our report demonstrates that policy-focussed applied research is better understood in STEM and Social Sciences; colleagues in the Arts and Humanities mention the need for a culture shift to better recognise the importance of this research-policy collaboration.“

The report is published by Durham University in partnership with UPEN, thanks to funding from the Laidlaw Foundation. 

Read the report here.