NEWCASTLE POLICY IMPACT fa-home Created with Sketch.
Newcastle University Logo
For colleagues (Desktop 1800x1213)

For Colleagues

Opportunities and resources for colleagues interested in policy engagement

  • Home
  • For Colleagues

Support for policy engagement

The University offers a range of opportunities and resources to help colleagues connect their research with policy and practice. 

Pre-election guidance

The pre-election period (previously known as 'purdah') is a period of sensitivity between when a UK election is announced and when that election is held. It starts on Friday March 22nd 2024 and ends when the results are announced at 10pm on Thursday 2nd May.

With Mayoral elections for the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Northumbria force and local elections then we are affected.

During this time, certain restrictions are placed on public bodies, civil and public servants. Universities have charitable status which means that they are also bound by some pre-election restrictions. 

The key principle underpinning these restrictions is that the University as an institution cannot be seen to endorse or criticise political parties or candidates, or seek to influence the voting public. This can include funding announcements. 

The University can express support for a particular policy that is relevant to higher education for example, emphasising the importance of funding for research, but cannot align itself to a political party, and this should be taken into consideration if you are hosting events or visits involving politicians or civil servants during this time.

If you need more guidance about how these restrictions may affect your activities then please in the first instance email policy@ncl.ac.uk

 

Policy Academy

This is a sector-leading training and development programme. It is for colleagues interested in policy engagement at Newcastle University. Established in 2016, Policy Academy aims to increase the impact of our experts. It seeks to:

  • embed engagement with policy and policymakers into activities
  • support colleagues to engage with local, national and international policy
  • enhance knowledge and grow our level of interaction with policy
Policy Academy Fellows

 

Our annual Policy Academy Fellows Programme provides an in-depth series of one day training sessions. Topics include: 

•    Introduction to the Policy Environment 
•    Research to Policy Journey
•    Understanding where Policy is developed
•    Understanding Local Government
•    Devolution of Powers
•    Policy and our Global Reach
•    Writing to influence Policy and Media Relations


The Policy Academy Fellows programme is enhanced by Foundation Workshops and Masterclasses for graduates of the Academy.

For further information colleagues can contact nu.policyacademy@ncl.ac.uk.

Opportunities and resources

Policy Support Fund
  • Funding opportunities are available for new research activity which works in partnership with policymakers, particularly to better understand local, regional or national challenges
  • Activities supported include knowledge exchange, improving dialogue, training, supporting evidence-based policymaking and secondments
Policy Circular
A weekly bulletin to keep you informed about:
  • Training and mentoring opportunities
  • Upcoming government consultations and inquiries
  • Updates from UPEN (the Universities Policy Engagement Network) and CAPE (Capabilities in Policy Engagement)
NU Policy
  • A quarterly round-up of our policy-related activities - sign-up here
academics-dual-03NUpolicy-575x355