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Transform: UCL Knowledge Broker Academy workshop recap

24 July 2024

Last month, UCL Public Policy facilitated an interactive workshop as part of UCL Research, Innovation and Global Engagement’s inaugural Transform programme: Creating impact through knowledge exchange.

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On 11 June, UCL Public Policy facilitated an interactive workshop to explore the skills, training, and support offered by the Knowledge Broker Academy (KBA), our new academic-policy initiative launched earlier this year. The session was part of UCL Innovation and Global Engagement’s inaugural Transform programme, which aims to enable UCL’s community to create impact through knowledge exchange.  

Making the most of UCL’s expertise 

It is a widely held view among those in higher education that engaging with policy can lead to substantial impact on real-world issues. For example 94% of academics and 85% of professional services staff surveyed for this report by CAPE (Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement) believe academic-policy engagement makes a difference in the world. If so – how can we ensure that UCL’s world-class research and knowledge contributes to evidence-based policymaking? How can UCL provide the skills and knowledge needed to facilitate this?  

These are questions which led to the creation of the KBA – and which motivate the programme’s participants. As Professor Caroline Oliver (Professor of Sociology, UCL Institute of Education) explains,

““I'm keen to pursue research with societal impact. At the Department of Education, Practice and Society at the Institute of Education, I have just taken on the role of Head of Engagement and Impact, so I am motivated to learn about and share understanding about how best to use our research to shape evidence-informed decision-making in policy and practice among junior colleagues."

‘Brokering’ and ‘mobilising’ knowledge 

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Despite this perception of the value of academic-policy engagement, the skills and practices it involves are often challenging to describe and to develop for both academics and professional services staff. The KBA workshop aimed to: discuss how the KBA builds on what works in academic-policy engagement; explore the benefits of gaining the skills, experience, and strategies involved; and facilitate peer-to-peer learning about how the KBA can support professional development.  


The session was supported by insightful contributions from three experts in the knowledge brokerage space:  

  • Dr Hana Morel, Policy Engagement Networks Coordinator for the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) project. 
  • Dr Sarah Jasim, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Applied Health Research at UCL, and at the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at LSE. Dr Jasim is also a Policy Fellow for the London Research and Policy Partnership (LRaPP), embedded with the City Intelligence Unit at the Greater London Authority.​ ​ 
  • Michelle Reeves, Head of Strategy at the Greater London Authority. Reeves is also Co-Founder and Co-Lead of the London Research and Policy Partnership (LRaPP).​ 

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“‘Knowledge mobilisation’ and ‘knowledge brokerage’ are ways to describe the skills and processes involved in bridging research, policy and practice. As Dr Hana Morel explained, “in summary, knowledge mobilisation is a broad process aimed at making knowledge usable and impactful, while a knowledge broker is a specific role focused on bridging gaps between knowledge creators and users to facilitate the practical application of knowledge.” 

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The workshop provided a useful forum to explore these ideas and practices with UCL staff. As a group, we reflected on the ways the KBA could support different departments, faculties and networks, as well as exploring ideas for further development about professionalising policy engagement. Through an interactive reflective exercise on the objectives and priorities of the pilot KBA programme, participants offered valuable insights which have informed the planning of the next phase of the programme.      


Learning through practice 

The KBA combines blended learning and practice-based opportunities for participants to apply their skills and knowledge in hands-on engagement with policy professionals. The curriculum is designed to reflect what we know about effective practice in knowledge mobilisation: focused skills development and training; creating opportunities for applied learning; and offering peer support and mentoring. 

This year’s participants are an interdisciplinary group representing 8 of UCL’s 11 Faculties. The group comprises research and professional service staff across a range of career stages, and with varied previous policy engagement experience.   

Upcoming opportunities 

The pilot KBA programme concludes in September 2024, after which time UCL Public Policy will work to support the cohort with their next steps in policy engagement. The next round of the Knowledge Broker Academy will launch later this year, with a second cohort of participants to begin in early 2025.  

If you could not attend this session but would like to learn more about the full range of UCL Public Policy’s activities, support, and training, please explore our online resources via the links below. 

To find out more about the Knowledge Broker Academy and our upcoming plans to support academic-policy engagement at UCL, please contact Dr Sinéad Murphy, Policy Engagement Coordinator.  

Related links