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.

Experts contribute to UUK report on reform to opportunities for poorer students and driving growth

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A new report sets out a bold package of reforms to widen opportunity and boost the sector’s contribution to growing the economy.

Academics urge government to review means-tested help beyond Universal Credit

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Expanding access to free school meals for all Universal Credit claimants is among the reforms proposed by researchers from the Institute for Policy Research.

Foundation Future Leaders Programme applications are now open

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Applications for the 2025 Foundation Future Leaders Programme are now open for University of Bath researchers or policy professional staff.

Institute for Policy Research welcomes NHS England team on the Health Policy Fellowship Programme

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Senior policymakers from NHS England will meet with academics across the University as part of the IPR’s Health Policy Fellowship Programme.

New blog: Avoiding disasters like Grenfell could be helped by holding executives more accountable

Akhil Bhardwaj explains why holding executives accountable for safety failures could encourage better decision making.

New blog: The future of UK investment: Insights on the International Summit

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On 14 October, the UK government will host a high-profile International Investment Summit. Dr Bruce Morley and Professor Mike Lewis provide analysis.

Our research

We aim to further the public good through research into issues of significant relevance to policy debate and decision-making.

UBILab@IPR

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An interdisciplinary lab for research into Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Education, welfare and work

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Exploring the reform of education, welfare and work.

Sustainable futures and healthy living

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Exploring the interconnected economic, social, environmental and health challenges we face in the UK and globally.

Political economy and politics

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Analysing political economy and exploring the evolution of politics, the changing role of the state, and political ideas and values.

Research archive

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Learn more about our previous public policy research projects.

Latest publications

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An overview of the most recent reports and policy briefs produced by IPR.

Policy engagement

Learn more about our policymaker and practitioner opportunities.

The IPR Policy Fellowship Programme

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Explore your professional policy questions and challenges through the IPR Policy Fellowship Programme. Applications for 2024-25 now open.

IPR Health Policy Fellowship Programme

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Senior policymakers from government and the third sector working on health policy are invited to apply for our latest IPR Policy Fellowship Programme.

IPR Net Zero Policy Fellowship Programme

Senior policymakers from government and the third sector working on net zero policy are invited to apply for our specialist IPR Policy Fellowship Programme.

IPR AI Policy Fellowship Programme

Senior policymakers from government and the third sector working on AI policy are invited to apply for our specialist IPR Policy Fellowship Programme.

The IPR Visiting Fellows schemes

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Outstanding national or international academics or policymakers can apply to spend up to six months with the IPR.

The Bath Policy Engagement Academy

Connecting University of Bath researchers and policymakers through fellowships, networks and capacity building to enable evidence-informed policymaking.

Internal opportunities

Learn more about our sabbatical and internship schemes.

The IPR sabbatical scheme

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Bath academics can apply to spend a semester at the IPR to work on an interdisciplinary research project with substantial policy and public engagement.

IPR internships

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Apply now for an internship with the Institute for Policy Research (IPR).

Postgraduate programmes

Learn more about our postgraduate programmes

Masters (MSc) in Public Policy

This Masters degree offers students the opportunity to study how public policy is made, what shapes it and how to make a real difference as a policymaker.

Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice (DPRP)

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This pioneering doctorate will enhance professional capability and critical reflection on the theories, methods and practices of policymaking.

Professional Doctorate students at the IPR

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Learn more about our students studying for the Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice.

Climate change and the environment

Our latest work on environmental and climate policy.

ActNowFilm

A youth voices film project produced by the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and Cambridge Zero and supported by the UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN).

ActNowFilm: Youth Climate Leaders as Agents of Change

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The 2024 ActNowFilm weaves together the insights of global climate experts with the narratives and actions of young people from across the world.

Connect with us

Find out more about the IPR, and stay up-to-date with our latest research, publications, events and news.

Sign up to the IPR newsletter

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Keep up-to-date with our latest research, publications, news and events by signing up to the IPR newsletter.

IPR online lectures

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Watch our lectures online to catch up with the best of our events.

IPR policy podcasts

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Listen to our IPR policy podcasts to catch up on the best of our lectures and seminars.

Upcoming events

Find out about upcoming IPR events.

An architecture of hope: Reimagining prison design

20 Nov 2024 6.00pm The Chancellors' Building, 3.9, University of Bath

Yvonne Jewkes explores how we might change prisons to create spaces that encourage reflection and healing for those incarcerated.

The US presidential election: Where do we go from here?

27 Nov 2024 6.00pm Online

The FT's Lauren Fedor reflects on the outcome of the US presidential election: what does it mean for the US and what can we expect to see happen?

How we sold our future: The failure to fight climate change

11 Feb 2025 6.00pm Online

Jens Beckert delves into the connections between capitalist structures and our failure to address the climate crisis.

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

Institute for Policy Research (IPR)