
UCL Public Policy
24 March 2025
Following a successful pilot programme in 2024, UCL Public Policy is pleased to announce the launch of a new cohort participating in The Knowledge Broker Academy (KBA).
Designed to bridge the gap between research and policymaking, the KBA programme equips participants with the skills and tools to effectively mobilise knowledge. The KBA aims to foster meaningful academic-policy engagement and greater inclusivity in knowledge mobilisation spaces and activities. Through Research England QR-PSF and UKRI IAA funding, this year’s cohort will be supported in strengthening academic-policy connections across disciplines.
While motivation for academic-policy engagement is high among researchers, professional services staff, and policymakers, it does not always translate into the necessary capabilities or opportunities. The Knowledge Broker Academy helps to address this by providing a programme that is both tailored and flexible, in which participants develop their understanding of policy impact and engagement in a peer-supported setting.
Dr Olivia Stevenson, Deputy Director of UCL Public Policy
After a competitive selection process, 8 fantastic participants have been onboarded to the second iteration of the programme. They are:
Dr Elin Arfon, Research Fellow, UCL’s Institute of Education for the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), UCL Institute of Education: Culture, Communication and Media
Dr Jhono Bennett, Lecturer in Design, The Bartlett School of Architecture
Professor Alison Clark-Wilson, Professorial Research Fellow, IOE Faculty of Education and Society, Department of Culture, Communication and Media
Dr Tommaso Gabrieli, Associate Professor in Real Estate, The Bartlett School of Planning
Linwei Li, Education Administrator, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, Global Business School for Health
Dr Beth Malory, Lecturer in English Linguistics, English Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Elena Proffitt, Research Assistant, Faculty of Population Health, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, NIHR Policy Research Unit in Reproductive Health
Dr Adrienn Tomor, Associate Professor in Engineering Design and Construction, The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction
Like the 2024 programme, this year’s participants represent both professional services staff and researchers, across a range of career stages, and from a variety of UCL’s faculties. They also represent a rich diversity of expertise; for example, they bring knowledge in areas such as the language of pregnancy loss in healthcare settings, sustainable housing, EdTech in industry-academia collaborations, and many more.
The participants are undertaking a flexible and varied programme which combines self-directed learning, bespoke training, engagement with policy professionals, peer learning, and one-on-one guidance from UCL Public Policy’s team of knowledge mobilisers.
Speaking on the programme, Dr Sinéad Murphy, Policy Engagement Coordinator said:
To engage with the KBA programme and participants, or to find out more about this initiative, please contact Dr Sinéad Murphy, Policy Engagement Coordinator (sinead.e.murphy@ucl.ac.uk).
About the Knowledge Broker Academy
Knowledge Broker Academy – insights and impacts from the programme
KBA Participants – Past & Present
Support available for engaging with policy professionals

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