Lancaster University Policy Hub

From Insight to Influence - Supporting Your Policy Engagement Journey

Lancaster University supports academic staff at all career stages to engage with policymakers aiming to inform local government, national policy, or global agendas with their research evidence.

Whether you're new to policy engagement or already active, there are tools, training and connections to help you have an impact - from shaping policy debates to contributing evidence, we’ll help you make your voice heard where it matters most.

What do we mean by ‘policy’?

Public policy is the choices government makes to change society and outcomes for its citizens. It involves everything from intent through to action and is usually backed by legislation. Research evidence can help inform policy to make it fairer and more effective.

Working with Policymakers

In this video Nancy Preston, Professor of Supportive and Palliative Care, talks about her experience of engaging with policymakers and why this is important to her work.

Who are Policymakers?

A policymaker is any stakeholder, elected or unelected official, decision maker or influencer who create or impact policy development and implementation. They may work:

Locally - including local councils, devolved administrations, and mayors.

Regionally - including elected and unelected officials and civil servants in the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Nationally - policymakers can be in government or parliament, such as Secretaries of State, Ministers, advisers, Members of Parliament, Peers and civil servants. They are also experts in government agencies and non-ministerial departments, executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies. Outside of government, think tanks and policy groups also impact the policy development process.

Internationally – such as the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN)

What support is available?

At Lancaster University we have a dedicated person to support you with policy engagement. Some of the support we can offer:

  • Connecting you with the opportunity to influence policy.
  • Connecting you with other academics to offer peer support.
  • Signposting you to other avenues of support such as the Press team, Public Affairs team or our policy advisers in government and parliament.
  • Policy newsletter – a regular update summarising current opportunities for engaging with parliament and government and other opportunities such as training, secondments and adviser positions.
  • Signposting to funding opportunities such as the Policy Support Fund open call or travel fund.
  • Group and bespoke training and advice sessions via our partnerships with the Open Innovation Team (weblink) and Industry and Parliament Trust.
  • Helping you to write for a policy audience.

To access this support email: policy@lancaster.ac.uk

Policy Newsletter

Subscribe to the weekly Lancaster University policy newsletter.

Subscribe

In this video Dr Dayo Eseonu, Lecturer in Politics and Policy, talks about her engagement with policymakers and shares some tips.

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If you're interested in engaging with policymakers or just want a chat about getting started, contact Janine Bickerstaff, Research Policy Impact Manager, policy@lancaster.ac.uk

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