This policy engagement training programme is designed to support and equip UK researchers to translate their environmental, economic and social science research into policy insights and real-world impacts. The programme consists of a self-paced online training course and either live virtual training or in-person training sessions at different locations in the UK.
This training is offered at no cost to eligible participants.
Eligibility
You do not need policy experience to be eligible to apply. However, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- you’re an environmental or social science researcher at postdoc level or higher (at any postdoctoral career stage)
- you’re based at a UK higher education institution or a recognised independent research organisation
How to apply
Entry to the programme is competitive, and an application is required. Applications will be accepted for Phase 2 of the training programme from 9am on 10 May 2024 to 5pm on 31 May 2024 (UK time).
Please complete the following registration form for full consideration to join our training programme.
GO TO APPLICATION
NOTE: This form is optimised for laptop/desktop. Some functionality may be unavailable in mobile.
We are offering two ‘live’ strands of the training series to enable participation from across the United Kingdom: Virtual (Strand 1) and In-person (Strand 2). Attending the full training course is encouraged, however, you do have the option to pick and choose which modules to attend. Regardless of which strand you choose, you will be provided with access to an online course that complements the live sessions to complete at your own pace.
| Module | Virtual* (Zoom sessions) 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (UK time) |
In-person 10 am to 4 pm (UK time) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How to Strategise, Scope and Plan for Policy Impact | 10 & 12 September 2024 | 4 September 2024 London, England |
| 2 | How to Navigate the Policy Impact Process | 18 & 19 September 2024 | 11 September 2024 Stoke-on-Trent, England |
| 3 | How to Make a Difference in Policy | 25 & 26 September 2024 | 17 September 2024 Bath, England |
| 4 | How to Evaluate and Evidence Policy Impact | 1 & 3 October 2024 | 25 September 2024 Glasgow, Scotland |
* Live online sessions will break each module into two half-days to avoid digital fatigue. Participants need to attend both virtual sessions.
We will review the applications and confirm places for the live strands of the training programme by email by 24 June 2024.
Travel and subsistence
There is no cost to participants (or their institutions) to attend this training. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will cover reasonable travel and subsistence expenses for in-person course participants, in line with the UKRI travel, subsistence and expenses policy.
When planning travel, please consider using lower carbon emitting options first and book in advance to get best value for money. Please note that domestic mainland UK flights are only permitted in exceptional circumstances and any requests for air travel will require written justification and UKRI approval prior to bookings being made.
Participants attending the in-person courses will be provided with a UKRI expenses claim form.
For any queries relating to travel and subsistence claims, please contact the NERC Policy Partnerships Team: UKpolicy.partnerships@nerc.ukri.org
Application review
After submission, applications will be reviewed, and successful individuals will receive a confirmation by email.
For Phase 2 of the training programme, we will be taking a balanced portfolio approach to selecting successful applications (taking into account academic discipline and geographical location) to help ensure the programme is successful in meeting its aims of increasing the diversity of voices contributing to policy engagement. Applicants who were unable to secure a place on the Phase 1 training courses will be considered for the second phase.
This training programme aims to actively promote equal opportunity and positive relationships among diverse groups.
Learn more about the Equality Impact Assessment for the training programme
Participant testimonials
Thank you: this is a really high quality, and extremely useful course. I just wish I had been given this opportunity earlier in my academic career!
Thank you for offering this course as a free resource, as it is incredibly useful and filled with useful resources. I'm also looking forward to being connected to the community of practice to keep in contact with the other participants.
The training was very useful for helping me think through policy engagement and network with other academics who wish to do the same.
Hearing from people at various stages and with various levels of experience has been wonderful. Sharing our ideas and setbacks has helped me immensely.
The online course materials are really well presented and structured. A great mix of theory, practice examples, guidelines, principles and resources.
The online self-paced work is just brilliant. So much detail, great resources! I love it!
