Newcastle University

Working with policymakers, or with organisations who want to influence policy, requires a different way of working to what you may be used to in a university setting. You’ll need to draw on, or develop, different ways of planning, collaborating, and communicating. The aim of this skills guide is to suggest strategies and skills for working successfully in the public policy world.

The suggestions and advice may seem like common sense - and much of it is. However, it can be easy to get caught up in the rhythms of the university year, and the professional norms of the academy do not always map onto those of the policy world, so it is worth considering how you might need to alter your approach and expectations.

This skills guide will consider:

Timeframes and planning

Aims and outputs

Communicating for policy audiences

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