Policy Leeds works collaboratively across the University of Leeds to provide policy engagement support. To make this happen, we offer services and connect policy professionals and researchers with opportunities.
On this page, you will find a list of team members and their areas of expertise. You can contact us should you need help with the related policy engagement activities.
If your inquiry is more general or you’re not sure who to contact, please email Policy Leeds at policyleeds@leeds.ac.uk.
Team members
Juliet Jopson – Public Policy Engagement Manager, Policy Leeds
- Coordinates institutional responses to requests from policy professionals, such as calls for expertise,
- Works with policy partners to develop and strengthen strategic relationships,
- Leads the Policy Engagement Kickstart training programme and provides guidance and advice for University of Leeds staff wanting to develop their policy engagement,
- University of Leeds contact for the University Policy Engagement Network (UPEN).
Email Juliet Jopson at s.j.jopson@leeds.ac.uk
Claire Smithson – Policy Engagement Officer, Policy Leeds
- Gathers intelligence to identify local and national research needs and policy challenges,
- Provides project support across Policy Leeds and other initiatives (e.g the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network – Y-PERN),
- Organises and delivers events that connect researchers and policy professionals,
- Provides secretariat support for policy engagement groups and steering groups within the university,
- Provides support developing policy briefs and reports.
Email Claire Smithson at c.h.smithson@leeds.ac.uk
Alexandra Noton – Engagement and Communications Officer, Policy Leeds
- Plans and disseminates communications campaigns to promote policy-relevant research and policy engagement activities,
- Manages Policy Leeds social channels, website and staff intranet pages,
- Provides support with policy-relevant content creation and copywriting (including videos, blogs and policy briefs).
Email Alexandra Noton at A.G.Noton@leeds.ac.uk
Ged Hall – Organisational Development and Professional Learning
- Provides impact coaching and guidance on professional development,
- Advises on developing impact plans as part of research grant applications.
Email Ged Hall at G.Hall@adm.leeds.ac.uk
Further policy engagement support
Policy Leeds works closely with the impact support professionals based in the University’s schools and faculties that also support policy engagement activities. Please email Policy Leeds at policyleeds@leeds.ac.uk and we’ll try to direct you to the most appropriate person.
For support developing your knowledge and skills in policy engagement, please also see our people development page.