Please note: In light of COVID-19, we have adapted this programme so it can be delivered online.

The IPR Policy Fellowship Programme is for senior policymakers from government, industry and the third sector. It offers participants (Fellows) the opportunity to explore the policy questions, or challenges, they are looking to address in their day-to-day professional roles.

The programme is structured around tailored one-to-one virtual meetings with selected academics. The meetings take place via video link, or on the phone, at times that are convenient to the Fellow and academics.

The University performs cutting-edge research with international impact across our four faculties: Science; Engineering and Design; Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Management.

The University’s interdisciplinary expertise provides perspectives which inform key areas of policy, including healthcare, social policy, Universal Credit, basic income, well-being, mental health, loneliness, education, behaviour change, Artificial Intelligence, innovation, energy technologies and sustainability, the circular economy and many others. In addition, our School of Management is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive management schools.

Drawing on the insights of our experts forms an important part of the Policy Fellowship experience. Our research informs new approaches to organisational management and service delivery, enhances professional and corporate practice and supports changes in policy.

Engaging with academics across the University inspires Policy Fellows with new ideas and perspectives. In this way the Policy Fellowship Programme drives innovation, helping Fellows apply new tools, models and frameworks to improve the ways in which policy is developed and delivered.

There is no charge for participating in the Policy Fellowship Programme.

Tailoring your Policy Fellowship experience

We will have an initial discussion with you about your areas of interest and motivations for taking part. We will ask you to prepare between six and eight policy questions around which you would like to focus your discussions, and also provide us with a brief note on your background and current role.

What to expect

Using your questions as a framework, we will arrange a series of 40-60 minute, one-to-one, virtual meetings with academics whose work is relevant to your policy area. Not all the people you meet with will be working directly in your area, or able to give specific answers to your questions. They will all, however, be able to engage in a thought-provoking discussion which will stimulate your, and their, thinking.

Additional benefits

You will be assigned a point of contact at the IPR who you can call on to facilitate future meetings or collaborations with University academics.

You will have virtual access to the University of Bath Library, and online journals, for two years following your initial visit.

By completing the programme you will join our IPR Policy Fellow alumni network, and receive invitations to events.

We select Fellows based on their professional role, the policy challenges they wish to address and whether these can be matched to expertise we have across our four faculties.

To apply, please e-mail Amy Thompson, Head of Policy Programmes and Communications with details including:

• your current professional role
• your reasons for applying to the Fellowship
• the questions you want to explore through the Fellowship
• your availability to virtually meet researchers
• a short biography