Drop-in session held by Kayleigh Renberg-Fawcett on 19102022  

Representation from Cambridge, Derby, Durham, Henry Royce Institute, Keele, Lincoln, Nottingham, UCL, UPEN  

The session primarily explored UPEN’s involvement in the ESRC Local Policy Innovation Partnerships and Strategic Coordination Hub opportunity.   

Conversations mainly focused on what role can UPEN play in supporting LPIPs applications - particularly for those universities who may not have as much resourcing in those universities to support academic-policy engagement, despite having a strong civic remit. Some suggestions included identifying expertise across thematic areas where those expertise sit beyond the geography of the LPIP, and to convene more knowledge sharing between UPEN universities at different stages in their journey so that growth and investment across UK HEI in this space is considered equitably. Cambridge mentioned they would be happy to support a SCH bid through a work package including their policy fellowship scheme.   

KRF noted that a menu of options will be shared with UPEN members with regards to the SCH, and will signal what commitment of support UPEN can provide for LPIPs applications.  

It was clear that the Sealey Report findings were not known by all attendees, and a note for the VC to share the Sealey Report and bring it into discussion in future drop-ins.   

A question was asked whether UPEN members had experience of metrics for policy engagement. Members suggested to a future exec meeting.   

ACTIONS  
KRF set up next drop-in session (focus on the Sealey report and UPEN members key needs)  
KRF to bring discussion themes up with Exec when finalising the UPEN ESRC offer.