This month, the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) is pleased to welcome three senior policymakers, who, as part of the IPR Policy Fellowship Programme, will take part in a total of 17 meetings with 15 different researchers at the University.

George Economides is a returning fellow in his new role as Head of Digital Twins at the Department for Transport. He will meet academics from the Departments of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Physics, and visits under the Net Zero Policy Fellowship stream.

Joy Hadden, Strategic Advisor in The Executive Office in Northern Ireland, visits for a second time under the umbrella Policy Fellowship Programme and will connect with colleagues from the IPR and the Departments of Education and Psychology.

Ben Henshall, Deputy Director of the Data Science and AI at Number 10, visits as part of the CSaP affiliation and under the AI Policy Fellowship stream, and will meet with researchers from the Departments of Social & Policy Sciences and Computer Science and the IPR.

Amy Thompson, Head of Policy Programmes and Communications at the IPR, said: “It is wonderful to have such a diverse range of senior policymakers visiting the University, two as returning fellows, as part of our Policy Fellowship Programme. The fact that senior fellows want to return to Bath to meet with our academics is a sign of the success of the PFP. Being able to connect our academic colleagues with policymakers from across some of our leading research strengths at Bath is a wonderful opportunity. We look forward to welcoming all Fellows this week and next and thank all academic colleagues engaging in the programme."

The IPR Policy Fellowship Programme offers policymakers the opportunity to explore their policy questions or challenges through a bespoke programme of tailored meetings with leading academics based at the University of Bath. In addition to the flagship Policy Fellowship Programme, there are specialist policy fellowship streams for Health, Net Zero and AI, drawing on the University’s core research strengths.

For academics at Bath interested in learning more about the IPR Policy Fellowship Programme, or keen to take part in future meetings, please email Andy Dunne (IPR Policy Engagement Manager): ajd65@bath.ac.uk.