The Institute for Policy Research (IPR) was delighted to welcome eight senior policymakers from the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) to take part in the IPR’s Health Policy Fellowship Programme.

The ICB is the NHS statutory organisation that plans, coordinates and commission activity across the North Central London Integrated Care System, which covers Camden, Islington, Haringey, Enfield and Barnet.

The visiting team, which included Dr Jo Sauvage, Chief Medical Officer, and Sarah McDonnell-Davies, Executive Director of Place, met with nine different researchers at the University over six meetings, connecting with colleagues from the Departments of Economics, Health and Psychology and the Vice Chancellor’s Office.

Prof Peter Allen, Co-Director of the IPR, said: "We’re very pleased to welcome senior policymakers to the University and to hear about the policy challenges they face. These conversations are a great way to build new and lasting connections between them and the researchers working at the University, and to highlight the policy relevance of the research being undertaken at Bath."

The Health Policy Fellowship Programme was launched last year and draws on one of the University’s core research strengths. Aimed at senior policy and decision-makers working nationally and regionally on health policy, it complements existing specialist Policy Fellowship Programmes for Net Zero and AI and builds on the flagship IPR Policy Fellowship Programme.

The programme offers policymakers the opportunity to explore their policy questions or challenges through a bespoke series of tailored meetings with leading academics based at the University of Bath.

For academics at Bath interested in learning more about the IPR’s Policy Fellowship Programme, or keen to take part in future meetings, please email Johanna Meyer, IPR Policy Engagement Manager: jpm87@bath.ac.uk