Training session: International Policy Engagement and the REF

UCL Global Engagement and the UCL Impact team invite UCL colleagues to join us at a face-to-face training session: International Policy Engagement and the REF.

In line with UCL’s identity as London’s Global University, UCL research and expertise informs policymaking across the globe, and engaging with policymakers is one of our primary avenues for impact. This process, however, is not always straightforward and setting up successful initiatives can be challenging.

This masterclass will equip you with an understanding of what makes an impactful policy collaboration and offer practical insights for the development process of REF (Research Excellence Framework) case studies, from inception to panel evaluation.

With a particular focus on the challenges of international policy engagement, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your own experiences working with policy actors across the globe. Colleagues from the UCL Impact team and with experience in the REF will share their insights, answer your questions, and point to sources of support across UCL.

This session is open to all UCL staff, but may be of particular interest to early career researchers.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Understand the REF process, its rules and requirements.
• Understand what makes an impactful policy engagement activity that combines research excellence and societal impact.
• Identify the key factors that contribute to a robust REF case study and what to consider early on in your project.
• Conceptualise and develop a REF case study based on your past or planned policy engagement activities.

Contributors

• UCL Impact Team: Introduction to the REF
• Professor Michael Walls: Strengthening institutions in the Global South to address urgent development challenges: co-production of research and policy in Somaliland and Sierra Leone
• Professor Courtenay Norbury, Vice-Dean Research, Brain Sciences: Experience of serving as a REF Panel member
• UCL Global Engagement: Introduction to international policy engagement and sources of support at UCL

Further information

This masterclass forms part of a wider programme on supporting international policy engagement at UCL.

The programme is co-delivered by UCL Global Engagement, the UCL European Institute and UCL Public Policy.

If you have any questions, please contact Elinor Kruse, UCL Senior Partnerships Manager (Global).