MetroPolis Matters: April newsletter

Manchester Metropolitan University sent this bulletin at 30-04-2024 11:50 AM BST

MetroPolis Matters (April 2024)

Dear Colleague

We hope you're enjoying the first of the Spring sun!

It's been another busy month for MetroPolis, with a major sold-out employment conference, the launch of our brand new policy briefing paper, the extension of our training programme, and an imminent juror support campaign! It's also been a fantastic month for some of MetroPolis' partners, including Professor Michelle McManus (Health and Education) and Dr Krystal Wilkinson (Business School), who have been called on to share their expertise with leading policymakers.

Here are a few of our highlights:

Our Good Work conference with Dr Katy Jones (Business School) and the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity drew together over 100 researchers, policymakers, employment and business professionals, and featured an insightful keynote address from Shadow Minister Alison McGovern MP.
We launched our new policy briefing paper, ‘A Good Work Revolution: How to improve the UK’s employment landscape and tackle inequality.' Drawing on cutting-edge Manchester Met research, the paper shares steps for catalysing a good work revolution for the UK.
We were thrilled to welcome Deputy Mayor Kate Green (GMCA) to our MetroPolis Reference Group meeting. Kate discussed her priorities as Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, and Manchester Met academics presented their research, opening up opportunities for collaboration.
Professor Michelle McManus (Health and Education) was invited to give Oral Evidence by the House of Commons Education Committee on their new inquiry into children's social care. You can read the written evidence submission here.
Our 'What's Policy Got To Do With It?' training sessions have been extended across the faculties, with bespoke follow-up training for research groups using our exciting policy change cards. Get in touch to find out more.
We've been preparing for the new Jury Duty Appreciation Week, which will run between 6th-12th May 2024. Spearheaded by Manchester Met's Dr Hannah Fawcett (Health and Education) and Dr Matt Brooks (Health and Education), the campaign will call for better support for jurors in England and Wales following traumatic trials. Keep an eye out on our social media channels to see how you can get involved!

Finally, a reminder to all Science and Technology researchers that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have published their Areas of Research Interest (ARIs). These are the policy questions the department would like to get further research evidence on, and it's an excellent opportunity to share your expertise. You can read the full document here, and get in touch with us for advice on submissions.

Abby

Latest News

Shadow Minister shares ambitions for UK employment at Good Work conference

Catch up on discussions and debates at our 'From Work First to Good Work' mini-conference, which featured a keynote address from Shadow Minister Alison McGovern MP.

New MetroPolis policy briefing paper calls for a Good Work Revolution

Read the new policy briefing paper from MetroPolis, which shares steps for improving the UK's employment landscape, and tackling inequality.

Improving reproductive health support in the workplace

Read about Dr Krystal Wilkinson's impactful activity on fertility challenges in the workplace, including her co-authored White Paper launch in Parliament, and a roundtable at 10 Downing Street.

Read our latest blogposts

Get comfy, as we have three brilliant blogposts to share with you this month!

Following the publication of the World Happiness Report 2024, Professor Gary Pollock asks what policy interventions are needed to improve the wellbeing of children around the world. Read it here.
Collaboration between academic experts and businesses can bring many benefits, but measuring impact can be difficult. Professor David Bamford shares a new framework for evaluating this collaboration - and explains why policymakers should take note. Read it here.
In the second of a series of blogposts based on research reports commissioned by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Office, Manchester Met's Gender-based Violence team examine responses to domestic abuse in the criminal justice system. Read it here.

Upcoming Events

Interactive Media Training (and the chance to pitch your ideas!) with Paul Keaveny, Editor from The Conversation (Sold-out)

Wednesday 8th May, 12pm-2pm, In-person

Next week, a group of academics from across the University will be working with an Editor from The Conversation around pitching their ideas for new articles – if you are interested in receiving updates about similar media training events please contact Katherine Roycroft: k.roycroft@mmu.ac.uk.

Promoting Your Research to UK Parliament (internal only)

Friday 10th May, 9.30am-11.30am, In-person

An interactive workshop led by Sarah Carter-Bell (Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU), UK Parliament) exploring the role of KEU, the support they offer academics, and top tips for promoting your research to UK Parliament.

The Nuances of Psychedelics and How to Regulate Their Non-Medical Use

Thursday 16th May, 2pm-5pm, In-person

A half-day workshop in collaboration with the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research (CADR), Aarhus, Denmark, Transform UK, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester, exploring the nuances of the non-medical use of psychedelics.

xHMG Ways of Working with Academia in Greater Manchester

Tuesday 21st May, 1.30pm-4.30pm, In-person

Our friends at Manchester Met's School of Digital Arts (SODA) are hosting a xHMG Ways of Working with Academia event to discuss routes for xHMG-academic collaboration across Greater Manchester. A fantastic opportunity to find out about government priorities and opportunities to get involved.

Our Support

We offer a number of routes for enhancing the policy impact of your research. You can apply for support through the links below. To find out which is the most suitable for your work, or for more tailored support, please reach out to the MetroPolis team.

The Chancellor’s Fellowship: Our prestigious MetroPolis Chancellor's Fellowship scheme offers high-quality researchers from Manchester Met placements with policy organisations including government departments, charities and think tanks.
Rapid Funding Scheme: A quick turnaround funding scheme for a range of activities to enhance the policy impact of research including events, travel, networking and (non academic) publications.
1-1 Policy Coaching: A one-to-one service for support with your pathways to policy impact delivered by Showrunner Communications, who are experts in public policy.

Spotlight on...

We have been delighted to support Dr Hannah Fawcett (Senior Lecturer in Psychology) on her research into juror trauma. Hannah has been busy with a number of policy engagement activities, including:

Establishing Jury Duty Appreciation Week (6^th – 12^th May 2024), the first ever event in England and Wales that celebrates and thanks jurors for their contribution to the criminal justice system. It brings together the British Psychological Society, the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Canadian Juries Commission and Metropolis, to campaign for tailored systems and support for people undertaking jury duty.
A British Academy funded project into juror wellbeing, which demonstrated the challenges that jury duty can pose to the mental health and wellbeing of jurors and highlighted formats for the presentation of evidence of skeletal trauma in court in that minimise distress to jurors.
Briefings provided for the Baroness Berridge ahead of oral questions posed in House of Lords on the topic of government recognition of, and support for, juror mental health and wellbeing.
Organising a seminar in Westminster to bring together key stakeholders from around the world to discuss how to achieve a trauma informed court system

On MetroPolis' support, Hannah commented:

“Support from Metropolis has been invaluable in highlighting the policy impact of our work and empowering me with the confidence and skills to work with policy makers.”

To find out more about this research, please contact Hannah via:h.fawcett@mmu.ac.uk.

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