Lord Eatwell, who was Chief Economic Advisor to Neil Kinnock, the Leader of the Labour Party, from 1985 to 1992, and also instrumental in the creation of the leading research think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research, will help the Institute for Policy Research influence policy and decision makers by promoting the use of University research across a range of different issues.

The IPR was established in 2013 to bridge the worlds of research, policy and professional practice and enable better collaboration with some of the major policy challenges faced on a local, national and international scale.

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Eatwell said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Advisory Board of the IPR and I look forward to meeting and working with staff from across the University.

“Building on its solid foundation, the IPR is very well positioned to further develop research and engagement with policy makers at all levels.”

Specific projects Lord Eatwell will develop include a scheme to bring leading policy makers to the University to investigate the way in which the University’s research in science, engineering and social sciences, can aid in the solution of major policy problems. This new Executive Policy Programme will be facilitated by the development of a high-profile external advisory board, adding weight to the impact of the IPR’s work.

Professor Jane Millar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research commented: “The appointment of Lord Eatwell to this central role within the IPR will boost the impact of our research among key policy makers. Lord Eatwell’s profile and experience in politics will help the IPR build stronger links across policy, ensuring that our research can be used to help tackle some of the major issues faced at a local, national and international level.”

Professor Hugh Lauder, Acting Director of the IPR, added: “Lord Eatwell will make an invaluable contribution to the Institute with his background as an outstanding academic and highly influential policy maker.

In his academic career, Lord Eatwell held positions at the University of Cambridge. He was for many years a Fellow of Trinity College and is currently President of Queens’. With his other duties, he taught economics at the New School for Social Research in New York throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Lord Eatwell has been a Director of the Royal Opera House and is also the former Chair of the British Library.


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