UPEN Programmes aims to improve the systems and structures that enable academic-policy engagement across the UK. It is funded by Research England from 2025-2028.
Enhancing connections between academic research and public policymaking
We are building a coordinated interface to connect the academic and public policy communities. Our goal is to provide dedicated and proactive knowledge mobilisation resource to respond to policy need and build collaboration in academic-policy activities to strengthen coordination across the UK at all levels of policy making.
Elevating capacity and capability
We are working with our members and partners to strengthen a individual and institutional academic-policy engagement and address uneven distribution of skills and incentives across universities. Our aim is to ensure people in interfacing roles have clear understanding of their skills and career pathways, and help universities deliver policy impact at all levels of decision making.
Catalysing innovation and delivering system change
We are creating a resilient infrastructure that will shore up the future of engagement between academia and policy, supporting collaborations which can be scaled up, driving greater collaboration, and establishing a new organisational model for UPEN to see us into the next decade and beyond.
Programmes
Funded from 2025-2028, UPEN Programmes is delivered by a team of 40+ staff based across our thirteen partner organisations. It is funded by Research England, UKRI, and ESRC.
13
partner organisations
5.9
million cash funding
4.2
million in kind funding from partners
We work on
People
Developing capabilities of professionals and institutions.
Despite growing demand for academic expertise and evidence to inform the development and delivery of public policy, there remain persistent barriers to effective academic-policy engagement. UPEN Programmes aims to address this through our focus on People, Place and Practice. Our ambition is to maximise the contribution of academic research to evidence-informed policymaking in order to deliver better outcomes for people across the UK.
Sarah ChaytorUPEN Programmes Director, UPEN Co-Chair
A secure future for UPEN
The investment also provides us with the space to understand the structures, capacities, and activities required to scale UPEN into a sustainable and equitable model, responsive to wider ecosystem needs. Working with our members, we will develop a robust membership model, a business and service offer, and a governance structure that enables growth and security for the next 10 years and beyond.
