Introducing the eight policy fellows placed in our two fellowship cohort schemes

Eight Policy Fellows have the unique opportunity to collaborate with Office for Health Improvements and Disparities (OHID), City Hall, and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), gaining valuable insights into the workings of government departments and a regional governance bodies. These initiatives allow researchers to apply their academic knowledge and skills in a practical policy setting, fostering a deeper understanding of how these organisations operate and interact. 

The first cohort is the Researchers in Residence (RiR) Scheme, an ongoing partnership between UCL and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities London (OHID),  and this year,  with City Hall. UCL Public Policy, in partnership with UCL Health of the Public, will support four Researchers in Residence during their placements with OHID and with City Hall.  

Summary of the RIR cohort: 
Dr Ruth Plackett is a Senior Research Fellow at UCL's Department of Primary Care and Population Health. Ruth’s project focuses on ‘Understanding how environment affects children and young people’s mental health and health’ and will be working with Dr Emer O’Connell (London City Hall). 

Dr Rachel Burns is Senior Research Fellow in Inclusion Health Epidemiology & Public Health at UCL. Rachel’s project focuses on ‘Improving evidence generation for community centred approaches to drive health equity’ and will be working with Professor Kevin Fenton (OHID). 

Dr Brian Beach is a Senior Research Fellow in Social Policy & Gerontology Epidemiology & Public Health at UCL. Brian’s project focuses on ‘Increasing economic activity through better health and skills’ and will be working with Elaine Rashbrook (OHID) 

Dr Francesca Zanatta is an Associate Lecturer (Mental Health), Institute of Epidemiology & Health. Francessca’s project focuses on ‘Mental Health and Young People and will be working with Dr Jackie Chin. 

““I am eager to further my contributions to public health policy development and implementation through this secondment with OHID London and in collaboration with London City Hall. It provides the ideal opportunity to apply my skills and expand my impact with respect to issues at the intersection of work, health, and ageing. Through this experience, I hope to gain a better understanding of the current policy environment and how policy teams work within the context of a specific region vs national policy teams.”

— Brian Beach, RiR with OHID, 2024-25 

The second cohort is the Research-Policy Fellowship programme, a new initiative in partnership with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Four researchers will be placed within the Chief Scientific Office or their relevant policy teams working on priority projects in the department. 

“This year’s initiative builds upon the achievements of the past two cohorts, where participants generated valuable outputs, including reports, infographics, and academic papers. In addition to these tangible contributions, other significant, less measurable outcomes were achieved. A supervisor from the first cohort noted, “Working with the Fellows not only provided insights into the establishment of Family Hubs (the primary focus of the research), but also encouraged us and our colleagues to approach evaluation with greater criticality and academic rigour. The report proved essential in engaging stakeholders, including local authorities, on a subject (Family Hubs) that was still being defined within OHID London. This learning will also be vital as Family Hubs funding concludes at the end of the financial year and discussions begin around sustaining provision beyond that point.”

— Robert Pears, Consultant in Public Health, OHID and RiR Supervisor, 2022-23.

Summary of the MHCLG cohort:
Stanimira Milcheva is a professor in Real Estate Finance at University College London (UCL) will be placed in the Housing Strategy - Institutional Investment & Housing Guarantees team. 

Dr Saffron Woodcraft is a Principal Research Fellow within UCL Institute for Global Prosperity. She will be placed in the Local Growth Policy and Analysis team. 

Dr Tom Dolan from Dept of Civil, Environment & Geomatic Engineering at UCL will be working in the Resilience and Recovery Directorate team.

Dr Lina Gonzalez is a Research Fellow in Health Economics within Primary Care & Population Health at UCL. Lina will working in the Vulnerable People Statistics Team related to Homelessness and Rough Sleeping team. 

““I hope to gain an understanding of how research and evidence are used by departmental researchers and policymakers and share this insight with UCL networks. Some of the key questions I have are: how are research problems identified?; how is evidence collated and used, how does the CSA team interact with unit-based researchers?; which external research networks and advisors does the Department draw on?”

— Saffron Woodcraft, MHCLG Research Policy Fellowships  

If you are interested in learning more about fellowship opportunities with UCL Public Policy contact, Alice Tofts. 

About UCL Public Policy: UCL Public Policy connects UCL’s world-class research with policymakers to inform and shape public policy. Through partnerships and engagement, UCL Public Policy enhances the impact of research on policy and practice.

About OHID: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities works to reduce health inequalities and improve the health of the population by supporting local and national efforts to address the wider determinants of health.

About City Hall: City Hall is the regional governance body for Greater London, responsible for strategic planning, economic development, and improving the quality of life for Londoners.

About MHCLG: MHCLG is central to the mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local governments. MHCLG is at the heart of the government's agenda for change, aimed at growing the economy and improving people's lives right across the United Kingdom. They do this by empowering local communities, rebuilding local government, delivering the homes people need, ensuring building safety, enabling social cohesion and supporting local growth.