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The York Policy Engine

Welcome to The York Policy Engine

The York Policy Engine (TYPE) connects people, ideas and evidence to drive policy change in the pursuit of public good. We offer dedicated support, targeted at the academic-policymaker interface to facilitate the use of research evidence generated at York to drive real world changes in policy and practice.

Our key areas of focus are to:

  • Offer training and capacity building activities which highlight the benefits of policy engagement and offer opportunities for academics, professional services and PhD students at York to build their skills to effectively engage with policymakers.
  • Offer a platform to facilitate and identify routes to influence for the use of our research evidence to relevant policymakers locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • Build a network of policy active professionals, external partnerships and networks to facilitate engagement to respond to the needs of policymakers.

If you’d like to find out more about how we could support you with your work, take a look at our Guide to Requesting Support from TYPE. This page provides an overview of our offer to colleagues, FAQs, and advice on how best to get started. Using the information on this page might help guide your thinking and will also help us respond more quickly and effectively to your enquiry should you get in touch.

The York Policy Academy - Applications now open

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 York Policy Academy.

The York Policy Academy is an annual programme run by The York Policy Engine (TYPE) at the University of York. It helps staff to better understand policy engagement, expand their networks, and increase their impact by connecting them with civic and political leaders through interactive, expert-led workshops.

The Policy Academy is open to all professional service and academic staff at the University of York, at any career stage, who have aspirations to influence policy through their work.

Apply here by 5pm on Tuesday 21 July 2026. 

Find out more

Training, Policy Engagement and Collaboration 

Policy Briefs and Reports

The York Policy Engine produces policy briefings to showcase policy-relevant research from across the University. These briefs aim to provide an evidence base for policy makers, building on the University's research and expertise. 

Latest briefs and reports:

View all our policy briefs and reports

Read our news and blogs

News

20 May 2026

The Social Change Catalyst Blog for May 2026, comes from, Nina Caspersen, Professor of Comparative Politics and the Associate Dean (Research) for the Faculty of Social Sciences.

News

18 May 2026

Born in Bradford Centre for Social Change at York is proud to announce six new funded research projects, each tackling pressing challenges facing young people and communities from loneliness and gambling to indoor air quality and social security.

News

29 April 2026

The Social Change Catalyst Blog for April 2026, comes from, Danielle Walker Palmour. Director, Friends Provident Foundation

TYPE Policy Research Groups

TYPE has established four policy research groups, each aiming to harness cross-disciplinary expertise within the institution to target important policy challenges at both a regional and national scale.

The four groups are:

  • The Cost of Living policy group
  • Creative Industries policy group
  • The Law and Process policy group
  • Children and Young People’s Mental Health policy group

Explore the TYPE policy research groups

Meet the Policy Engine
Explore the research areas that TYPE collaborates with

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