UPEN Mentorship Programme 2026 – Expressions of Interest Open

UPEN is excited to announce the launch of its 2026 UPEN Mentorship Programme, connecting knowledge exchange colleagues across the sector.

This is a perfect opportunity for UPEN members who are looking to expand their networks, engage with ‘critical friends’, and develop their own academic-policy engagement practice through dialogue and discussion with peers.

What is the UPEN Mentorship Programme?

Following positive feedback from the most recent programme cohort, we will be continuing with the small group-based peer mentoring format for the 2026 Mentorship Programme.

Peer mentoring involves a relationship between colleagues where the more experienced colleague provides informal support for their less experienced counterparts. While relatively informal, the approach includes clear expectations around commitment and engagement, ensuring all parties understand what’s involved and can collaborate to learn and support one another’s growth. Peer mentors act as a source of support, advice, and reflection, as well as a catalyst for inspiration, confidence, and new opportunities.

Groups will be formed of two ‘mentees’ and one group lead/mentor. We expect each group to develop organically, and in line with the expectations of its members.

Support for mentors

New for 2026, UPEN will be offering free CPD and practical support for mentors, designed to strengthen the quality of mentoring across the programme.

This support will include:

• short online workshops ahead of and during the programme
• practical guidance and resources on mentoring approaches, boundaries, reflective practice, and managing common challenges.

These sessions are optional and are likely to be particularly valuable for colleagues mentoring for the first time, while more experienced mentors may choose to dip in selectively. The intention is to provide proportionate support and recognition for mentors, while keeping the programme peer‑led and flexible.

Expected benefits

• Feeling connected with other members across UPEN (we recognise that these types of knowledge exchange roles can sometimes be isolating in HEIs)

• Collaborative learning and sounding board for new ideas (mentoring groups are the perfect place to discuss new ideas and gather constructive feedback)

• Networking (participants will have the opportunity to meet with all of the mentors and mentees during the programme)

• Transferral of tacit knowledge (tacit knowledge refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities an individual gains through experience that is often difficult to put into words).

What is involved?

To avoid being overly prescriptive, there are no expectations other than that groups meet for a minimum of 1 hour per month.

UPEN’s Programme Development Manager will engage with the groups at various stages of the scheme, with a particular focus on evaluation and capturing learning.

Participants will also be provided with resources to support reflection and ongoing evaluation throughout the programme. This will help us capture real-time benefits and the wider “ripples” that stem from taking part, ensuring we can learn from your experiences and demonstrate the value of the programme.

Key dates

Wednesday 13 May 2026:

Application deadline

Friday 22 May 2026:

Applicants informed of groupings

June 2026:

• Mentor CPD workshops (ahead of programme launch)
• Official programme launch with all participants (online)
• Potential in‑person meet‑up at the UPEN Conference

July 2026 – February 2027:

Online mentoring meet‑ups (groups to self‑organise, typically monthly)

March 2027:

End of programme, evaluation, and closing event. While the programme will run until March 2027, some mentoring relationships may continue beyond the formal round.

Who should apply?

The primary aim of the programme is to provide professional support for people working in the policy engagement and policy support space across higher education.

We encourage applications from colleagues who play a role in connecting academia and policy, including:

• professional services staff
• people in knowledge brokerage, impact, or engagement roles
• colleagues whose roles involve knowledge management, insight generation, or translating research and data into practice
• those supporting or managing policy fellowships, placements, or secondments within universities or policy organisations.

The programme is designed to be flexible and participant‑led, and groups are encouraged to shape their discussions around shared interests and challenges. This may include topics such as navigating institutional contexts, working with evidence and literature, developing insights for practice, or supporting researchers and fellows engaging with policy.

Those interested in joining the programme should complete our Expression of Interest form.

How to apply

Please fill in the Expression of Interest Form.

Professionals who wish to lead a group and act as a mentor should submit the Mentor/Group Lead form, while those who are newer to the sector and looking for guidance should apply as a Mentee. This helps us match participants effectively and ensure everyone gets the most out of the experience

If you have any questions, please contact Joe Armstrong (joe.armstrong@durham.ac.uk)

What do previous mentees say?

“What I found most valuable about the programme was building relationships with new colleagues, gaining different insights and perspectives, and having a safe space to talk through challenges.”

Kayleigh Renberg-Fawcett, Head of Knowledge Mobilisation (Place) UPEN, University of Leeds

“I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss with others working on setting up policy hubs and engagement strategies at their institutions.”

Helen Ackers, Research Impact Manager, University of Warwick

“It was great to be matched with colleagues from other universities to hear about the different structures and roles within different organisations, but to also hear of different ways that each organisation is engaging with policymakers.”

Alexandra Beaumont, Research Impact Officer (Business and Law), University of Essex

“It was great getting to speak to someone with much more experience than you, and they freely shared their time and insight. As someone who finds it hard to ask for help, I found this opportunity so useful.”

Anonymous, University of Birmingham

“I enjoyed gaining insights from my mentor regarding the policy world (to which I’m still a relative newcomer).”

Anonymous, University of