New blog: Did the hot summer make more people worry about climate change?
Lorraine Whitmarsh and Bella Zanin explore why experiencing heatwaves doesn’t always change behaviour, and what can be done to turn concern into lasting change.
Institute for Policy Research
A leading public policy research institute, based at the University of Bath.
Spotlight
Highlights from our latest research, analysis, activities and programmes.
New blog: Mr Burnham’s first Budget: Fiscal headroom is distracting from the bigger debate
Chris Martin discusses 'fiscal headroom' and explains why the UK’s longer-term economic and social challenges deserve greater attention.
New research urges a fresh approach to parental leave in the UK
New Institute for Policy Research publications argue that more generous and better-coordinated parental leave would benefit families, employers and society.
Festival of Economics: The geopolitics of energy
Join us on 17 Nov to discuss the role of energy security in geopolitics. How do supply chains, prices and sanctions affect international conflicts?
Event: Edward Luce reflects on the US midterm elections
On 2 Dec, Edward Luce (US national editor at the Financial Times) reflects on the US midterm results and their implications for 2028 and global relations.
Sign up to the IPR newsletter
Keep up to date with our latest research, publications, news and events by subscribing to the IPR newsletter.
Our research
We aim to further the public good through research into issues of significant relevance to policy debate and decision-making.
Education, welfare and work
Exploring the reform of education, welfare and work.
Political economy and politics
Analysing political economy and exploring the evolution of politics, the changing role of the state, and political ideas and values.
Sustainable futures and healthy living
Exploring the interconnected economic, social, environmental and health challenges we face in the UK and globally.
UBILab@IPR
An interdisciplinary lab for research into Universal Basic Income (UBI).
Research archive
Learn more about our previous public policy research projects.
Latest publications
An overview of the most recent reports and policy briefs produced by the Institute for Policy Research.
Policy engagement
Learn more about our policymaker and practitioner opportunities.
The IPR Policy Fellowship Programme
The IPR's Policy Fellowship Programme connects senior policy and decision makers with University of Bath researchers.
The Bath Policy Engagement Academy
Connecting University of Bath researchers and policymakers through fellowships, networks and capacity building to enable evidence-informed policymaking.
The IPR Visiting Fellows schemes
Outstanding national or international academics or policymakers can apply to spend up to six months with the IPR.
Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice
Learn more about our postgraduate programme.
Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice (DPRP)
This pioneering doctorate will enhance professional capability and critical reflection on the theories, methods and practices of policymaking.
Professional Doctorate students at the IPR
Learn more about our students studying for the Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice.
Upcoming events
Find out more about our upcoming events.
Festival of Economics: The geopolitics of energy
17 Nov 2026 3.00pm
Watershed,
Bristol
What role does energy security play in geopolitics, and how do supply chains, prices and sanctions affect international conflicts?
Festival of Economics: Degrees, debt and disruption: the future of higher education in the age of AI
18 Nov 2026 11.30am
Watershed,
Bristol
What is the role of undergraduate study in the age of AI? And is it still worth getting a degree?
Festival of Economics: The politics and economics of English devolution
18 Nov 2026 3.00pm
Watershed,
Bristol
Is England moving towards meaningful devolution, or just decentralised delivery of national policy? What does this mean for regional growth and inequality?
Edward Luce reflects on the US midterm elections
2 Dec 2026 6.00pm
Online
One month on from the US midterms, Edward Luce (US national editor at the Financial Times) reflects on the results and their implications.
Peter A Hall and Will Davies: Governing growth
9 Dec 2026 5.30pm
Room 3.5,
The Chancellors' Building
,
University of Bath
Peter Hall and Will Davies discuss how politics and economics have interacted in Western democracies over the past 80 years.
Connect with us
Keep up-to-date with our latest research, events and news.
Sign up to the IPR newsletter
Keep up to date with our latest research, publications, news and events by subscribing to the IPR newsletter.
IPR online lectures
Watch our lectures online to catch up with the best of our events.
IPR policy podcasts
Listen to our IPR policy podcasts to catch up on the best of our lectures and seminars.
About us
We aim to further the public good through research into issues of significant relevance to policy debate and decision-making, manage networks with the worlds of policy and practice, and increase public understanding of policy research through our public events and publications.
We deliver activities for policymakers, researchers and practitioners to enable dual learning and original contributions to both research and practice.
Enquiries
If you have any questions, please contact us.