A Festive Farewell w/Stephen Meek

We've reached the end of the University year and Ben is joined by colleagues from the Institute for Policy and Engagement, Phillipa Abery, Gabrielle Bunn and Tiffany Trundell, to look back on some memorable projects, achievements and baked goods of the past year.Want links? We have plenty:The Institute for Policy and EngagementTrace Metal Pollution w/Andrea SartoriusForest at Nottingham CastlePolicy Impact and Public Engagement AwardsFollow us:LinkedInInstagram

Earlier this month, the Institute for Policy Engagement took part in the UPEN Conference, which brought together universities and policy professionals to tackle a key question: how can we better measure the real-world impact of academic research on public policy? In our latest podcast episode, our Policy Programmes Manager, Tiffany Trundell, shared insights from the event and highlighted how we are helping researchers bridge this gap through our new policy cards — a simple tool to help academics communicate their research more effectively to policy makers.Want links? We have plenty:Join our mailing list!UPENThe Institute for Policy and EngagementTiffany TrundellFollow us:LinkedInInstagram

Ben is joined by Adam Pickering, a key face in the Nottingham Climate Assembly and Green Hustle, to talk about the upcoming Green Hustle festival, the recent Sustainable Growth Assembly held at the University of Nottingham, as well as how to actually (and effectively) inspire climate action.Want links? We have plenty:The Institute for Policy and EngagementGreen HustleNottingham Climate AssemblyFollow us:XInstagram

Science in the Park 2025 took place on 8 March and Ben sits down for a chat with Sally Nightingale and Phillipa Abery, who helped to organise the event. They talk about how it went, the superhero duty manager who clambered out of a lift during a power cut and listen to clips from exhibitors on the day of the event, featuring voices from University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and Wollaton Hall.Want some links? We have plenty:Science in the Park 2025 roundupInstitute for Policy and EngagementWollaton HallFollow us:LinkedInXInstagram

What exactly is Public Engagement and Policy Impact? Maria Richards and Tiffany Trundell join Ben to talk about exactly that and why they are so important. They also talk about some of the most in demand questions and what might set you up for success.Want links? We have plenty:The Institute for Policy and EngagementFollow us:LinkedInXInstagram

This week, Evidence Week is happening in Parliament and the University of Nottingham's own Sharmila Sumsurooah is there to share her new policy brief on Electrifying Air Travel. in honour of this, Ben looks back on a previous episode where Sharmila discussed this for COP26.Want links? We have plenty: The Institute for Policy and EngagementElectrifying Air Travel Policy BriefFollow us:LinkedInInstagram

To close out 2024, we have a special bonus episode with everyone's favourite Director of the Institute for Policy and Engagement, Stephen Meek. Stephen has been at the Institute since it began, but is heading off to pastures new. Where? Well he tells all in this episode, as well as mentioning some fond memories from his time at Nottingham.Want links? We have plenty:The Institute for Policy and EngagementA Just Transition to Net Zero Policy CommissionNCCPE WatermarkCapabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE)Follow us:LinkedInXInstagram

Climate action is vitally important and Ben chats with Chris Ives (UoN) and Chris Baker (Goldsmiths) about how community action can play an important role - especially with religious groups. Is this an untapped resource that could be used to make progress?Want links? We have plenty:ARTICLE: Engaging faith for a sustainable urban futureChris IvesChris BakerThe Institute for Policy and EngagementFollow us:LinkedInXInstagram

September saw the fist BBC Proms to visit Nottingham! Resident composer and Associate Professor, Elizabeth Kelly, sat down with Ben to talk all about it, being inspired by the Nottingham lace industry and collaborations between Nottingham Trent's film students and University of Nottingham composition students.And that's before they talk about why tuba's should be a soloist instrument more often.Want links? We have plenty:Elizabeth KellyThe Institute for Policy and EngagementBBC PromsCarmina Burana at the Royal Concert HallMixed Reality LabStreetwise OperaInto the Depths (YouTube)Follow us:XInstagram

If you had a Viking day at school, that would make for a pretty good day at school, right? Ben sits down with Kate Olley and the coordinators of Vikings for Schools, Emma Horne and Natalia Radziwillowicz to talk about the workshops they run, the recent award they won, and the axes they've swung.Want links? We have plenty:The Institute for Policy and EngagementVikings for SchoolsVikings for Schools WorkshopsPolicy Impact and Public Engagement Awards 2024 - Best Schools InitiativeMidlands Viking SymposiumFollow us:LinkedInXInstagram