Skills, Training and Resources

To help our colleagues here at York engage effectively in the policy space, the Policy Engine offers agile, responsive support that builds confidence, strengthens skills, and connects our community with the wider policy landscape.

Our capacity building portfolio includes training, resources and development opportunities for academics, professional services staff and PhD researchers, helping them to better understand the policy process, and how to engage with and communicate with policymakers. We also offer a small number of opportunities for undergraduate and masters students to develop policy engagement skills.

Whether you are new to policy engagement or looking to build on existing experience, this page brings together the resources, training and guidance to support your journey and help you identify the opportunities that are right for you.

We encourage you to explore the tools, read the stories, and follow the links. And if you’re ready to pursue policy impact, contact type@york.ac.uk We will do our best to support and signpost you to people and resources that can guide you further.

Working alongside our delivery partners at the Policy Insights Unit The Policy Engine's training portfolio is designed to help staff and students build the skills and confidence to engage with policymakers. Whether you are new to policy engagement or looking to strengthen your impact, these opportunities provide practical guidance from experienced policy advisers.

Latest Training and Opportunities

Resources

The Policy Engine aims to help build awareness of the benefits of engaging in policy activities and provide the resources for colleagues to develop their skills and confidence to do this.

Our capacity building resources offer training to academics, professional services staff and PhD researchers, helping them to better understand the policy process, and how to engage with and communicate with policymakers.

Policy Insights Unit

In collaboration with the Policy Insights Unit (formerly the Open Innovation Team), TYPE offers specialist policy training including Policy Masterclasses, communicating to policymakers, and bespoke advice clinics.

Routes to engaging with Parliament

Explore some of the main routes and channels researchers can take when looking to engage with UK Parliament

How to write a policy brief

This short guidance resource helps guide researchers through the process of putting together a policy brief.

UK Government and civil service structure overview

This document provides and overview of the UK Government and civil service structures, departments and government best practice.

Techniques for engaging with Policymakers

Engaging with policymakers provides the opportunity for your research to make an impact and help solve real-world policy issues. This advice from a leading academic maps out some useful techniques for reaching policy stakeholders.

The York Policy Engine video series

A short video series featuring some of York's leading academics and senior colleagues who share their advice and experience on how to turn evidence into policy and practice.

The York Policy Academy

The York Policy Academy aims to enhance participants' understanding of policy engagement, expand their networks, and increase their impact by connecting them with civic and political leaders. The interactive training workshops are led by a range of policy experts, covering key policy engagement topics, focused on enhancing participants' understanding and skills in policy engagement. Participants include researchers, academics, and professional services colleagues.

Find out more

Stay Connected: Networks & Sector Updates

There are a number of newsletters and mailing lists available to sign up to which will allow you to stay up to date with the latest news and opportunities to engage with policy:

The York Policy Engine Mailing List for monthly news, blogs and training opportunities.
UPEN (University Policy Engagement Network), where York is a member, has a wealth of resources to support evidence-informed policymaking and provides free training and event opportunities throughout the year. Subscribe to their newsletter here
Subscribe to UK Parliament's Knowledge Exchange Unit weekly round up
Keep up to date with the latest current exchange schemes from academia to policy - including secondment/fellowship, capacity building and internship/placement - with the Government Office for Science.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or require more information about training and development opportunities, get in touch at TYPE@york.ac.uk