(NU/1553) Evaluation of the Policy Academy

Newcastle University launched its Policy Academy in October 2016; our vision is to inform international, national and local policy which affects contemporary societal issues, through knowledge exchange and communication of our research and teaching. It is creating an inclusive, cross-disciplinary Policy Academy, under which a range of activities will be delivered. Central to this is effective long-term internal and external relationship building. In close alignment with the Impact agenda the Academy seeks to stimulate a cultural shift at Newcastle University, which will result in policy engagement being more common place and more effective. The Academy will seek to better understand, coordinate and share the excellent examples of policy interaction and impact; and will build on existing best practice.

Activities designed to strengthen the University’s capacity to inform policy are:

• The Policy Academy Fellows Programme is a skills development course delivered with support from academic colleagues and external specialists who have experience in working in the policy arena or who have successfully developed effective relationships with policy makers.

o The programme is targeted at early to mid-career researchers, teaching staff and Professional Services (PS) staff from across the University who are keen to develop their own toolkits on how their work in the University might inform policy. The programme is delivered to cohorts of 16-20 participants covering a range of topics:
o Introduction to the Policy Environment
o Research to Policy Journey
o Understanding where Policy is Developed
o Understanding Local Government
o Devolution of Powers
o Policy and our Global Reach
o Writing to Influence Policy and Media Relations
o Final Reflections

We need an evaluation of the Policy Academy Fellows Programme.