Institute for Policy launch brings Leicester’s research expertise to the heart of Westminster
Institute Director, Professor Neil Chakraborti, left, and Policy Manager, Dr Jack Willoughby.
Solutions to issues in healthcare, justice, climate change and space will be showcased at the official launch of the University of Leicester’s Institute for Policy in Westminster.
The institute, which will be launched at an invite-only event in the capital on Tuesday 10 December, has been formed to strengthen the ties between the University’s world-renowned research community and decision makers around the globe.
It aims to bring together academics and policymakers, such as politicians, civil servants, think-tanks and governmental organisations, to ensure its research has a real-world impact and can help solve policy challenges.
At the launch, which will be held at One Birdcage Walk, attendees will hear about the institute’s four thematic policy hubs which cover health, justice, climate change and space policy.
The event will also feature a Policy Perspectives Panel session, with two panellists addressing different topics.
The first will see the Rt Hon Lord Willetts, former Minister for Universities and Science, discuss how policymakers can utilise university research.
Universities UK Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern, will then talk about how university research can support policymaking.
The session will be preceded by an introduction from former Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Jonathan Ashworth.
In the run up to the launch, the institute is running a 12 Days of Policy campaign on Facebook, X and LinkedIn – watch the introductory video on YouTube.
Institute for Policy Founding Director, Professor Neil Chakraborti, said: “We are hugely excited to be taking the Institute for Policy to Westminster to showcase how our work with research experts at the University of Leicester addresses some of the most pressing challenges of our time. In addition to hearing from leading figures in the policy world, the launch event gives us the opportunity to discuss how best to ensure that regional and national policymaking is enriched by research evidence, and not diminished by empty rhetoric.”
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.