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Civic Field Guide

Policy

This section of the Civic Field Guide views civic engagement through a policy lens.

We look closely at the incentives or disincentives for civic action and the policy and funding mechanisms which enable or hold back civic activity.

A black-and-white illustration of a man with short curly hair and a trimmed beard, sitting at a desk and holding a sheet of paper. On the desk are files, pens, and folders. Surrounding him are a calculator, a clipboard with a checklist, and a compass, each accented with magenta highlights. The overall theme suggests organization, planning, and policy work.

Incentives & Disincentives 

How can universities navigate complex policy landscapes and contribute evidence-based insights?

This section of the Field Guide asks: what are the policy and funding mechanisms which enable or hold back civic activity?

Here, we examine how universities can review how their behaviour is shaped by these incentives and disincentives, how they can be strategically engaged, and how complex challenges need policy solutions informed by community insight.

What do we mean by Policy?

Field Notes at a Glance

Distilled wisdom to guide your path across the terrain.

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Foundational Waypoints

By stepping back and seeing evidence in the round, new insights emerge from the clouds.

Think of these waypoints as signposts, not instructions. They capture shared learning and practical insights to help you navigate your civic journey with confidence, at your own pace and from your own place.

Policy
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Navigate multi-level policy landscapes strategically

Master complex policy terrain by understanding incentives across national, regional, and local levels whilst positioning civic work for sustainable impact.

Strategic civic engagement requires universities to develop sophisticated capabilities for navigating complex multi-level policy landscapes, understanding how national, regional, and local policy frameworks create both opportunities and constraints for effective civic action.

This approach involves staying informed about policy developments across multiple governmental levels that affect community development opportunities, higher education funding, and civic engagement possibilities whilst identifying where university influence can be most strategically applied.

Universities should review how policies at different scales interact and influence their civic work, using this knowledge strategically to access supportive funding streams, and advocate effectively for policy improvements that enable more impactful civic engagement.

Developing authentic relationships with policy makers at different governmental levels is important, whilst maintaining clear focus on how policy engagement generates tangible community benefit.

This multi-level approach recognises that some civic challenges require coordinated policy intervention across multiple scales, with universities playing crucial bridging roles between local community needs and broader policy discussions.

"When we open genuine dialogue across Whitehall, town halls, and campuses, opportunities emerge for targeted, lasting regeneration. The best civic outcomes happen when universities act as a bridge, grounding strategy in community reality."

Public Sector Worker

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Key Equipment

Take a moment to reflect on these resources, then see how the next waypoint builds on this learning

Policy Practice

Contribute evidence to policy development

Transform research insights into policy influence by supporting evidence-based solutions that serve community priorities and enhance democratic governance.

Universities demonstrate authentic civic leadership by actively contributing to evidence-based policy development, systematically translating their research capabilities and institutional knowledge into practical policy insights that serve community priorities and enhance democratic governance.

This contribution involves mapping university research and expertise to local and regional policy priorities, translating complex academic research into accessible formats for policy makers, and piloting innovative approaches that can meaningfully inform policy development processes at multiple levels.

Universities can strategically leverage their research expertise, analytical capabilities, and extensive partnership networks to help policy makers understand complex community challenges and rigorously evaluate potential solutions based on robust evidence rather than assumption or political convenience.

This approach positions universities as trusted, credible sources of evidence and analysis, building essential trust with policy makers whilst ensuring that community perspectives, lived experiences, and genuine local needs effectively inform policy development processes.

"Bringing robust evidence to the table transforms policy from guesswork to grounded action. It's about marrying analytical rigour with lived experience, so policy decisions are shaped by facts, not just opinions. When universities truly listen and collaborate, our impact on local priorities becomes both tangible and trusted."

Head of a National Agency

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Key Equipment

  • 1

    In this engaging podcast, Des McNulty, Chair of the Local Policy Strategy Innovation Hub, explores with NCIA's Special Advisor John Goddard the powerful role of a university as a policy broker and evidence provider. Their conversation highlights real-world challenges and practical strategies for universities seeking to inform public policy and deepen civic engagement. Listen to discover actionable insights.

  • 2

    This short guide demonstrates how universities drive impact by aligning their civic activities with government missions. The paper offers a practical framework for contributing evidence across multiple levels of policy and introduces tested approaches to embedding civic priorities within policy development.

  • 3

    In this short video, Nina Ruddle shares insights from Wales' Civic Mission, spotlighting how universities can co-create policy solutions with regional partners. Gain quick, practical ideas for positioning your civic work to inform policy and amplify community impact.

  • 4

    Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University, reveals how authentic civic leadership means putting research into practice in policy contexts. Learn how Newcastle University translates academic expertise into accessible insights for policy makers and pilots real-world projects that inform local and regional policy. View now for effective strategies.

  • 5
    Policy@Manchester offers a real-world demonstration of how universities link research to policy influence, featuring articles, evidence briefings, and a civic agreement case study. Explore their multi-level approach to evidence-based policy and watch Dr Julian Skyrme share lessons from Manchester's Civic University Agreement.

  • 6

    Insights North East bridges university research and policy practice, providing tailored evidence for regional decision-makers. Read their sector-leading case studies or explore the "How Universities Can Help Make 'Place' Matter" guide to learn practical steps for influencing local policy with robust evidence.

Take a moment to reflect on these resources, then see how the next waypoint builds on this learning

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Supporting Waypoints

Complementary insights that extend your understanding across the interconnected terrains of civic engagement.

These waypoints offer fresh perspectives to deepen and broaden your civic practice. They're here to complement your journey, giving you the space to explore connections, draw parallels, and engage with ideas that fit your own context.

Purpose Practice Partnership Process Policy

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Embed civic engagement as a core university mission

Chart institutional transformation by weaving civic purpose through strategic leadership, collaborative delivery, and comprehensive accountability systems.

Place​ Partnership​ Policy​

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Embed hyper-local working alongside strengthening strategic regional partnerships

Balance neighbourhood-scale engagement with broader collaborative networks, creating connections across overlapping geographies and diverse community contexts.

Place​ Practice​ Purpose Policy​

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Universities can boost impact by sharing infrastructure – physical, social and cultural

Open institutional assets to maximise community benefit through shared access to facilities, networks, and cultural resources for collective flourishing.

Practice​ Purpose​ Process Policy​

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Embed civic responsibility across university practice, reflecting real local needs

Align institutional operations with community priorities, ensuring university practices authentically model the positive changes promoted in wider society.

Coming Soon Download

Take the Civic Field Guide with you!

A downloadable version of the guide is coming soon, designed for you to keep, refer to and share with colleagues.

Whether you're navigating new partnerships or refining existing ones, this portable edition will help you chart your civic journey with ease.

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Hidden Gems

Sometimes it helps to step off the beaten path and immerse yourself in a new experience or perspective.

These hidden gems might help you reflect, refine or spark something new. Click to explore!

Expedition Debrief

Universities should seek to understand how policies at different scales interact and influence their civic work, using this knowledge to deepen and strengthen their work, access supportive funding streams, and advocate effectively for policy improvements that enable more impactful civic engagement.

Line drawing of a sailing boat.This multi-level approach involves developing authentic relationships with policy makers at different governmental levels whilst maintaining clear focus on how policy engagement serves civic mission and generates tangible community benefit through coordinated policy intervention across multiple scales.

The Policy terrain recognises that some civic challenges require coordinated policy responses across multiple governmental levels, with universities playing crucial bridging roles between local community needs and broader policy discussions through strategic understanding of policy incentives and barriers.

Universities should develop capabilities for translating community priorities into policy-relevant insights whilst simultaneously helping policy makers understand complex community challenges through rigorous evidence and analysis.

Strategic policy engagement requires universities to function as trusted, credible sources of evidence and analysis that contribute to democratic governance whilst remaining deeply connected to community priorities and lived experiences that inform policy development processes.

This approach positions universities as conveners who contribute rigorous scholarship whilst ensuring community perspectives effectively influence policy frameworks through systematic translation of academic research into accessible formats that serve both policy makers and community interests.

Universities maximise their policy impact by systematically leveraging research expertise, analytical capabilities, and extensive partnership networks to help policy makers understand complex community challenges and evaluate potential solutions based on robust evidence rather than assumption.

This can involve piloting innovative approaches that can inform policy development whilst maintaining authentic relationships with community partners who provide essential insights about lived experience and local implementation challenges that must inform effective policy design.

Essential Equipment

Like a compass and a map, you need the right tools to set you on the right path.

Our essential equipment will help you plan a route and weather any storms along the way.