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Meet our sub-committees

UPEN sub-committees are a collaborative space for sharing best practice, running dedicated events and producing reports and activity that contribute to key areas of interest in the academic-policy engagement ecosystem. They are chaired by UPEN members and made up of knowledge brokers, academics, policymakers and external partners.

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Areas of Research Interest sub-committee

The Areas of Research Interest (ARI) sub-committee serves as a bridge between national, local and regional ARI and the academic community, enhancing comprehension of research priorities.
Chaired by

Nicky Buckley

University of Cambridge, CSaP

Rob Davies

UCL, CLOSER

Rich Pickford

Nottingham Trent University

Arts and Humanities sub-committee

Dedicated to integrating arts and humanities evidence into policy discourse and decision-making processes, the A&H sub-committee facilitates dialogue among academics, policymakers, and other policy actors.
Chaired by

Laura Bea

UPEN/Southampton

Rebecca Di Corpo

Bath Spa

Devolved and Regional sub-committee

By providing practical insights into engaging with different levels of government on various policy themes and acknowledging their diverse competences and structures, the D&R sub-committee supports colleagues across the UPEN network on a regional/metropolitan basis.
Chaired by

Rebecca Riley

Birmingham, City-REDI (inside England)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee

Dedicated to promoting a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the academic-policy landscape, the EDI sub-committee aims to address and dismantle systemic barriers, enhance representation, and amplify marginalised voices.
Chaired by

Dave Blackbell

SPRE

Olivia Stevenson

UCL

Laura Bea

UPEN/Southampton

International sub-committee

The international sub-committee aims to bridge the gap between policymakers, researchers, and other policy actors worldwide through robust knowledge exchange and dynamic partnerships.
Chaired by

Yaryna Basystyuk

Southampton

Will Pryor

Oxford

Stephen Evans

Durham

Professional Development sub-committee

To empower academic-policy practitioners, the Professional Development sub-committee offers tailored training, mentorship, and networking to equip individuals for impactful engagement at the intersection of academia and policy.
Chaired by

Neil Heckels

Durham

Alison Clarke

Insights North East