Policy Associates Scheme

Policy Associates support the delivery of variety of UKRI-funded projects and activities across the University through stakeholder analysis and policy synthesis.

Stakeholder analysis identifies and engages relevant decision-makers, practitioners, civil society and end point users in the development of policy implications stemming from UKRI-funded research. The analysis uses specialist Public Policy|Southampton (PPS) tools and networks. Policy Associates will be given full training.

Policy synthesis brings together relevant literature from academia and grey literature (government/ Parliamentary publications, civil society, user groups) to provide a map of the current policy landscape to the project team when planning policy engagement activities and forming policy recommendation. An executive report, verbal presentation and slide deck are presented to the research team.

Policy Associates will learn new skills such as evidence to policy interface, gain experience of working with the PPS team, and work with a broad range of Southampton researchers and Government civil servants.

Payment

The position will be paid at Administrative L4 level:

• policy synthesis, £17.98 per hour, 80 hours
• stakeholder analysis, £17.98 per hour, 40 hours

Policy Associates recruited in 2023/24 will work together and separately on a range of policy related research projects based on their availability and expertise.

Training

Policy Associates will receive training in:

• Introduction to the Impact Agenda
• Role of PPS
• Overview of stakeholder analysis
• System 1 - DeHaviland database
• System 2 – creative stakeholder identification
• Overview of policy synthesis

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

• be a Doctoral student or a Postdoctoral Fellow 
• have sound literature review skills   
• be capable of working in an area not exactly aligned with their research

We welcome applications from PhD students studying on a Tier 4 visa (please be aware of the limitations of your visa requirements on the total number of hours that can be worked).

Frequently Asked Questions

I missed this year's opportunity, how can I get involved?

If you are a Southampton PhD Student or Postdoctoral Fellow looking to participate in this scheme but missed the opportunity to do so, please make sure that you join our FREE Membership to be notified when a position becomes available.

I am a Southampton academic, how does this scheme affect me?

If you are a Southampton academic looking to include this service in your research funding proposal please join our FREE Membership to find out more.

Find out about our Policy Associates