What we do
The Institute provides expertise to support both policy impact and public engagement. Members of our team have extensive experience of working with and in a variety of organisations, particularly local organisations, government and the charity sector. As well as focusing on policy and public engagement as separate areas, our team also often work collaboratively, especially through our Institute Academy Programme and on projects within the civic space that bring these two audiences together.
Collectively, our team ensures that University of Nottingham's world-leading research reaches the right audience.
Policy impact
The University of Nottingham’s world-class research offers knowledge of relevance to the full range of policy issues facing decision makers across the globe. The Institute works to ensure this vital insight is heard where it can make a difference.
The policy impact team works with academics to help them understand the needs and perspectives of policy audiences at local, regional, national and international levels, and to develop the skills and knowledge needed to communicate with them effectively.
We support academics to build effective partnerships in pursuit of policy change and to create long term strategies for effective policy engagement.
For policy makers and policy-focused organisations, we offer a way to connect with world-leading researchers across the University’s five faculties.
Examples of recent policy projects:
Net Zero Policy Commission
The commission provides guidance as to how the Government can transition to a zero carbon society and ensure that the benefits and costs are shared equally.
Read about our commission
Policy Briefs
Policy briefs are short, accessible documents showing the value and potential impact of a wide range of research in an understable way.
Read our latest policy brief
Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE)
Our work on CAPE explores how to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals.
Read more about CAPE
SHAping Sustainable Futures Hub
This online resource is dedicated to showcasing the value of Nottingham's research for net zero, climate change and sustainability policies
Go to our SHAping Sustainable Futures Hub
Public engagement
Public engagement is about sharing and involving others in our research. Our public engagement supports academics who want to inspire people of all ages, gain insights and share tools to help make sense of a complex and changing world.
Public engagement activity can range from outreach activities in schools, to patient involvement, citizen science and collaborative research projects. The team help University of Nottingham academics and their partners to formulate high-quality public engagement initiatives, through training, events, networks and one-to-one support.
Watch our public engagement video to discover some of the fantastic recent projects we have delivered or supported.
Examples of recent public engagement projects:
Make It Easy Lab
Mark discusses his project developed throughout the Institute Academy Programmes 2023/24 - Participatory Photography with Make It Easy Lab
Watch the project video
Foregrounding communities in our public engagement
Maria Richards explores the importance of maintaining community partnerships to deliver meaningful change through reearch projects that foreground public engagement.
Read our foregrounding communities blog
Public events
Find out how we take Nottingham's world-leading research out into the wider community.
See our upcoming events
Want to collaborate with our team? Get in touch