UPEN Secures Major Funding to Bridge Gap Between Academia and Government Policy

UK Universities Unite to Drive Policy Reform Through Research-Led Solutions

Academic research plays a vital role in shaping effective public policy by providing evidence-based insights, data-driven solutions, and expert analysis on complex societal challenges. By bridging the gap between universities and policymakers, research ensures that decisions are informed by rigorous study rather than speculation, leading to more effective and sustainable policies. Recognising this need, the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) is gaining momentum as a national initiative aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking. With the University of Leeds playing a co-leadership role, UPEN is designed to connect policymakers with academic expertise, ensuring that research actively contributes to improving public services and addressing pressing policy issues.

Reports indicate that UPEN is set to expand significantly following a £5 million grant from Research England, benefiting ten member universities, including Leeds. Additional funding includes £582,000 from UK Research and Innovation and £300,000 from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), supporting UPEN’s transition from a voluntary network to a more sustainable, structured organisation. This investment will strengthen UPEN’s ability to connect policymakers with researchers from over 110 universities. The network acts as a national bridge between academia and public policy, offering support, best practices, and collaboration opportunities across local, regional, and national levels.

Professor Andrew Brown of Leeds University Business School, one of UPEN's three co-chairs, is helping guide the network's strategic direction. UPEN is hosted by UCL Public Policy and co-chaired by Sarah Chaytor, Director of Policy and Strategy at UCL, and Chris Hewson, Head of Policy Engagement at the University of Huddersfield.
Over the next four years, UPEN will implement a comprehensive programme to strengthen academic engagement in public policy. Key initiatives include:

• Enhancing universities’ capacity to work effectively with policymakers.
• Supporting place-based policymaking through regional collaboration.
• Embedding citizen engagement and community-driven approaches into policymaking.
• Developing sustainable models for long-term partnerships.

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, has emphasised the urgent need for reliable evidence in policymaking, particularly amid financial constraints, and highlighted the crucial role of academic expertise in shaping effective policies. Professor Nick Plant, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds, stated that the funding would help researchers build the evidence needed to tackle societal challenges, positioning UPEN to drive real-world impact through evidence-based policy.

The ‘Place’ theme, co-led by the Universities of Leeds and Birmingham, alongside Nottingham and Teesside, will focus on strengthening local and regional policy collaboration. This investment enables the University of Leeds to collaborate with institutions including Birmingham, Cambridge, Durham, Huddersfield, UCL, Nottingham Trent, Southampton, Teesside, Insights North-East, and the Wales Centre for Public Policy. UPEN also partners with the Institute for Community Studies, the Institute for Government, Yorkshire Universities, and regional networks such as Y-PERN and Y-PIP.

Members of the UPEN National Executive Committee, including Kayleigh Renberg-Fawcett, Senior Programme Manager at Y-PERN, and Dr Andy Mycock, Chief Policy Fellow at Y-PERN, underscore the increasing role of regional expertise in shaping national engagement strategies. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategic engagement, UPEN is set to drive meaningful change in public policy across the UK.

Editor’s Note:

The Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) is set to transform the way public policy is shaped in the UK. By strengthening the connection between academic research and policymaking, this initiative ensures that decisions are informed by evidence, expertise, and real-world data rather than assumptions or political convenience. With over 110 universities involved, UPEN provides policymakers access to rigorous research, enabling them to develop policies that are better tailored to societal needs. This means more effective public services, smarter regional development, and solutions that tackle pressing challenges, from economic growth to healthcare and climate action.
One of its most significant impacts is the place-based approach, which empowers local and regional authorities to work closely with universities, ensuring that policy decisions reflect the specific needs of communities across the UK. Additionally, citizen engagement will make policymaking more inclusive, ensuring that the public has a voice in shaping the future.

Skoobuzz emphasises that this program significantly enhances the UK's capacity to develop effective policies, both theoretically and practically, resulting in a government that is better informed, more responsive, and proactive. Supported by substantial funding, the UPEN initiative is set to enact enduring change, ensuring public policy genuinely addresses the requirements of UK citizens.