Masterclass: The reality of policy making in central Government
This recording focuses on the reality of policy making in central Government for those who want to understand how decisions are made and, more specifically, how academics can best engage with this process. Topics covered include the roles policymakers play in Government, the policymaking process, who to engage and how best to engage, options analysis and maximising successful delivery of policy implementation.

This Public Policy Engagement: Online Series is the central point of your Connected Learning experience designed by UCL Public Policy. Containing short videos, interactive activities, reflection exercises and resources, these free modules are designed for early career researchers to build their skills in academic policy engagement, but are also open to people within and beyond UCL, at all career stages to participate in.
Module 1: The Essentials
The Essentials introduces learners to foundational knowledge in public policy engagement. The module content has been designed to help early career researchers and university staff gain an overview of the policy ecosystem and identify strategies and resources to assist them to incorporate academic-policy engagement into their work.
Module 2: Achieving Policy Impact
This module offers insights into how to translate research into broader contexts and engage with policy actors, networks and organisations. The goal is for learners to become well-versed in the varying pathways to engagement and impact, and motivated to share their own work and expertise with different actors across the evidence ecosystem.
Module 3: Writing for Policy Audiences
This module offers practical and pragmatic advice on how to inform policy professionals and better explain the significance of your research. While designed for early career researchers and professionals, it's perfect for anyone seeking to improve their writing skills. Learners will learn more about writing to support policy development, covering both what civil servants and ministers expect and how to provide the information they really need, with a focus on Select Committee inquiries and policy briefs.
Module 4: Connecting with the Public Through Social Media and Blogs
This module provides learners with practical guidance and insights into how to communicate research findings with public audiences through social media (LinkedIn and Twitter) and blogs. Consisting of recordings from communication specialists, this module will enable early career researchers and indeed anyone working in academia to frame their research for public audiences and leverage online tools for disseminating their work.
Module 5: Policy Advisory Groups and Roundtables
This module provides learners with practical guidance and insights into how policy advisory groups and roundtable events can benefit the impact of their research. Topics covered include: why to host a roundtable and/or a policy advisory group, how-to guidance, and case studies from UCL researchers with first-hand experience organising roundtables and policy advisory groups.
Module 6: Mapping and Analysing Stakeholders in a Public Policy Context
Stakeholder analysis is the systematic identification, evaluation, and prioritisation of everyone who can influence, or has an interest in, a project, program or initiative. Stakeholder mapping is a stakeholder analysis technique where interested parties (stakeholders) are identified and assessed to see who can have the greatest impact on the success of an initiative. This module provides an overview of what stakeholder mapping is and the benefits mapping can have for your research impact. It also outlines step-by-step guidance for conducting a stakeholder mapping and analysis.