To get the most out of this course, it is recommended that you complete Part 1 first, where you'll get an introduction to the UK policy landscape and its key players. However, you can attend this session without completing Part 1, if you already have equivalent knowledge and experience.

In this 2-part online workshop series, run by Imperial’s Policy Forum, participants are provided with insights into the UK policymaking process and the benefits to researchers of engaging with this. You will be introduced to different ways to engage with Parliament and the UK government and become equipped with the tools and confidence to carry out your own policy engagement. This course will show you that you can collaborate and work with policymakers whether you are a doctoral student or a professor, and it is never too soon to start your policy journey!

Part 2 provides a ‘hands-on’ tutorial of how to inform policy, exploring practical ways to engage with a broad range of policymakers, including government departments and parliamentarians. You will learn about the different avenues to engage with policy, and the most impactful way to approach them. The session will contain a practical workshop on the way in which to write a policy briefing based on your own area of research; focusing on style, language and structure and how it differs from writing for an academic or public audience. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Recognise how to pitch yourself to different policy audiences regardless of your level of academic seniority
• Identify how and when to engage with different groups of policymakers
• Find policy documents such as consultations, areas of research interest and Select Committee inquiries that are relevant to their research/studies.

• Write a briefing for a policymaker on their research, using relevant structure and style.

How to Book

This session is run by Imperial’s Policy Forum and is open to both Imperial staff and doctoral students, so the sign up is slightly different to some other Graduate School courses.  

To book a place on this course, please use the booking link provided in the Date section above.