From the Co-Chairs: September update

With the new government bedding in, we have been considering what role universities have in the new policy landscape, and what the implications are for research-informed policymaking. In the context of a ‘devolution, devolution, devolution’ agenda, there are promising references to the role of universities in driving economic growth, innovation and skills development. There is a clear expectation that universities will act as civic partners helping to address the complex challenges – economic and otherwise – facing places and the communities within them. But there is still much to do to build the case for strengthening capacity for academic-policy engagement and evidence use within both mayoral and local authorities. Our review of place-based academic-policy engagement, published this week, considers the current landscape and sets out a direction for future development.

Before the summer, we wrote to the Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment, highlighting the significant contribution that universities can make to the Government’s ambitions for growth, public service reform and regional development. We emphasised the importance of investing in the connective infrastructure that enables policymakers to access relevant academic expertise quickly and effectively, and highlighted UPEN’s unique role as a trusted interface between central government and the UK’s wider research community. We look forward to continuing that conversation over the coming months.

This administration’s ambitions resonate with UPEN’s mission to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking by connecting academic expertise with decision-makers across the UK. This was evident in the recent launch event for the North West Policy Partnership (NWPP), convened by DBIST Chief Scientific Adviser Chris Johnson. Two panel sessions explored both the opportunities and challenges facing the higher education sector in the North West, with particular attention given to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. A recurrent theme was the need to prepare universities and the professionals who support engagement within them, for new forms of partnership working.

UPEN has now launched our regional networks page, with more networks to be added in the coming months – including a network in the South West of England. Each network reflects the particular requirements of its partners and its place, but will also show the value of bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners in order to strengthen collaboration and support evidence-informed policymaking around each region’s most pressing challenges. The growth of regionally focused, collaborative initiatives demonstrates the growing importance of regional infrastructure that can swiftly and comprehensively mobilise academic expertise in support of local decision-making. Further work to support place-based policymaking will include cross-place workshops exploring topical challenges, and ARI ‘how-to’ workshops. Further details will be shared shortly.

As part of our work with national government, we recently delivered a successful networking event with the Ministry of Justice in Leeds, bringing together academics, policymakers and knowledge mobilisation professionals to explore shared policy challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration. Participants discussed the importance of access to the existing evidence base to avoid ‘reinventing wheels’, alongside the importance of a diversity of evidence and the value of constructive challenge. For us, the event – and the enthusiasm in the room – also demonstrated the value of creating spaces where academics and policy actors can interact constructively and we will be looking to build similar events into UPEN’s ongoing work.

We also look forward to the forthcoming online launch of the Department for Work and Pensions’ latest Areas of Research Interest (ARI) programme. Discussing the initiative, the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser recognised the important role that UPEN plays in helping departments engage with academic expertise across the UK, describing the network as an important mechanism for connecting policymakers with the evidence and insight needed to tackle complex policy challenges.

Over the next few months, members will see a range of activities and members’ meetings linked to our developing membership offer, and our work on institutional readiness and capacity. On the latter, and following a successful initial workshop at Manchester Metropolitan University, we will continue to explore through a further series of workshops how universities can build the skills, structures, and cultures required to support impactful policy engagement. Alongside this, we are progressing our capability-building work, building on the recommendations from our report earlier in the year that reflects UPEN’s increasing focus on strengthening capability across the sector.

Finally, a huge thanks to those of you who have applied to this year’s academic-policy engagement Innovation Fund. The response has been exceptional and provides a powerful reminder of the creativity, energy and commitment that exists across the UPEN community. The breadth of ideas submitted highlights a sector that is eager to experiment, collaborate and sustain new approaches to connecting research and policymaking. Above all, the response demonstrates that UPEN’s network is ready to play a leading role in ensuring that robust evidence sits at the heart of public decision-making.