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Dear Colleague
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This edition of MetroPolis Matters brings together a mix of milestones, opportunities, and forward-looking conversations shaping the future of policy engagement. From hosting a landmark Manchester summit on responsible AI, to sharing new opportunities to engage with policymaking in Greater Manchester, to celebrating a year of impactful achievements, MetroPolis continues to connect research with real-world policy change.
We look forward to the publication of Professor Lisa Russell’s policy briefing on young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs), a significant contribution to tackling pressing social challenges. Alongside this, we share Professor Michelle McManus’s recent article in The Conversation on child safeguarding. Michelle, a former Chancellor’s Fellow, has also been engaging extensively with Parliament, supporting legislative scrutiny related to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
There are also upcoming opportunities to engage with national policymaking. These include UKRI Policy Fellowships (18‑month placements embedding researchers in policy roles) and Thematic Parliamentary Research Lead (TRL) roles, offering part-time opportunities to contribute expert evidence within Parliament. If you are thinking of applying, please email Nick O'Dowd (n.odowd@mmu.ac.uk) so that MetroPolis can support you.
Work on the North West Policy Partnership (NWPP) continues to progress, with events and activities planned for later in the year. There will be a programme of upcoming events and activities designed to support researchers in engaging with policy that we look forward to sharing with you.
Looking ahead, September will see the launch of a focused programme of training for researchers at Manchester Met whose work has significant policy potential, with MetroPolis supporting efforts to maximise the impact of these projects.
We wish all our readers a restful and enjoyable summer break. MetroPolis Matters will return in the autumn of 2026.
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We welcomed over a 100 civil servants from across government to share ideas and insights with our researchers on the future of AI.
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As the academic year comes to a close, we look back on our highlights and celebrate our achievements in what has been another successful year for MetroPolis.
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The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has published its first Areas of Research Interest. Find out more and learn how MetroPolis can help you engage with the GMCA.
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Date/time: 14th July (13:00-15:00)
Info: Hosted by the University of Manchester, this is a fantastic opportunity to hear from policymakers, contribute insights, and connect with others working in this space.
Date/time: 16th September (10:30 AM - 12:30 PM)
Info: This introduction is a practical, beginner-friendly session designed to demystify what impact means and how to build it into your research.
Date/time: Autumn 2026 (TBC)
Info: Get expert insight and advice on how to promote your research to Parliament, led by Huw Edwards MBE (former Member of Parliament).
Date/time: 11th November (All Day)
Info: The annual Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) summit returns to Manchester Metropolitan University. We look forward to sharing more details in due course.
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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.
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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.
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The Chancellor's Visiting Fellowship: This opportunity enables expert policymakers to collaborate with teams of researchers at Manchester Met to facilitate policy impact.
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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.
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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.
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Are you a researcher looking to strengthen your engagement with policy? The summer months offer an ideal opportunity to reflect on how your research can inform and influence policy, helping you start the next academic year with momentum.
Showrunner Communications provides tailored, one-to-one support to help researchers develop clear, effective pathways to policy impact. Drawing on expertise in public policy and political engagement across higher education, private, and non-profit sectors, their team offers practical, personalised guidance. Note that this opportunity is open to doctoral students as well. We encourage doctoral students to apply in order to strengthen the impact of their research projects.
Mark Fuller, Showrunner’s Managing Director, has commented on the success that’s already been achieved and the new opportunities that are opening up for researchers:
“It’s an absolute pleasure working with the team at MetroPolis to support Man Met researchers in their policy engagement work with some real success stories over the past couple of years. We’ve been very proud to support researchers like Jasmine Hearn in producing briefing papers and winning attention from MPs for work on women’s health; Carol Atkinson in launching a major report on policy around the care workers; and the Returning Soldier Network research team in securing a reference in the Armed Forces Covenant, among many others!
With the likely new Prime Minister announcing a ‘No 10 North’ based in Manchester to help drive devolution, more opportunities than ever before are opening up for Man Met researchers looking to achieve policy impact. We look forward to supporting many more over the coming months.”
Applying is straightforward: researchers complete a short expression-of-interest form outlining their research and reasons for seeking support, then submit it by email to Nick O'Dowd (n.odowd@mmu.ac.uk). You are then matched with a policy coach, with sessions arranged at a convenient time.
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