Neil Heckels

Neil leads the Public Policy Hub at Durham University, where he has spent the past eight years fostering connections between research and public policy. Neil co-leads the UPEN Programmes work on capacity building, skills and professional development. With a background in programme development and funding, particularly within the Voluntary and Community Sector, he has an interest in participatory methods, co-design, engagement and systems thinking.

Through UPEN, Neil’s ambition is to build a comprehensive understanding of the competencies, career pathways, and development needs of professionals working in this space. He likes to work closely with members and stakeholders to co-create professional development opportunities grounded in a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Collaboration is central to this and he’d love to hear from practitioners, researchers, and policy professionals to share insights, examples, and ideas, to identify promising approaches and amplify what works.