Leicester brings researchers and policymakers together in Westminster
From left: Professor Neil Chakraborti, Vivienne Stern and Lord Willetts during the panel session.
The worlds of policymaking and research converged at the official launch of the University of Leicester’s Institute for Policy, held in Westminster last night (Tuesday 10 December).
The event, which took place just a stone’s throw from Parliament, at One Birdcage Walk, heralded the launch of the institute, which has been formed to strengthen the ties between the University’s world-renowned research community and decision makers around the globe.
Institute for Policy Founding Director, Professor Neil Chakraborti, said: “It was wonderful to launch the Institute for Policy in Westminster, the heart of national policymaking, and in a room full of expertise and thought leaders from different sectors.
“The event gave us all an opportunity to engage with a range of pressing real-world challenges, and I’m proud that the Institute will be at the forefront of efforts to address these challenges through the world-leading research here at Leicester.”
From left: Professor Neil Chakraborti, the Rt Hon Lord Willetts, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Vivienne Stern, the Rt Hon Jonathan Ashworth and Professor Nishan Canagarajah.
The centrepiece of the launch was a panel session, involving two high-profile experts with experience at the heart of policymaking, lobbying and academia – and both with Leicester connections.
Former University of Leicester Chancellor, and ex-Minister for Universities and Science, the Rt Hon Lord Willetts, was joined by Universities UK Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern, who is herself from Leicester.
They addressed how policymakers can utilise university research, and offered advice on how researchers can catch the ear of civil servants and politicians involved in policymaking.
The session was preceded with an introduction from former Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and former Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt Hon Jonathan Ashworth.
Current Leicester Chancellor, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, opened the evening’s proceedings, with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, providing the closing remarks.
Following the presentations, a networking session allowed guests to find out more about the institute’s research across its four thematic hubs – healthcare, justice, climate change and space.
The Institute for Policy provides independent analysis on key policy issues facing the UK and beyond. The Institute’s main aims are to:
- Shape policy and influence decision-making to improve lives and livelihoods in the region, nationally and globally.
- Optimise the impact of Leicester’s research across the full breadth of the University to ensure that it shapes positive and lasting change within the world around us.
The institute’s launch comes after the University scored its best-ever performance in the Times Higher Education’s analysis of the Research Excellence Framework 2021, which saw it ranked 30th overall for research, out of 157 UK universities.
The analysis found 89% of Leicester’s research is classed as ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*), and more than half (52%) of Leicester research was assessed as ‘world-leading’ (4*) for its impact.
Visit the Institute for Policy website for more details.
In the run up to the launch, the institute ran a 12 Days of Policy campaign on X and LinkedIn – watch the introductory video on YouTube.