BEIS Net Zero Behaviour Science: ESRC Policy Fellowship
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: School of Business
Abstract
Each fellowship will last up to 18 months to cover a three-month inception phase for
set up activity, followed by a 6-12-month placement with the host organisation, and
concluding with an impact phase lasting up to three months.
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to
inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will
also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and
supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers. This will be supported
through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management
support.
set up activity, followed by a 6-12-month placement with the host organisation, and
concluding with an impact phase lasting up to three months.
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to
inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will
also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and
supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers. This will be supported
through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management
support.
| Description | Consulting on research work undertaken within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Contributing to Professional Development of Government Social Researchers |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | Please see demonstrative statement from one of the Government Social Researchers (GSRs) below, demonstrating impact in professional development: "I'm on the social and behavioural energy research team at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and I'm responsible for managing and running several net zero public engagement research projects. I've worked directly with [the award holder] on the [SME Net Zero Priorities]* workshops in both London and Bristol, as well as during team-wide meetings and activities. Working with [the award holder] has been incredibly beneficial for my professional development as a social researcher in the Department. During team meetings, her perceptive contributions help to bring out different perspectives and build my (and my team's) knowledge of the behavioural science space. It's useful and interesting having someone on the team who's very tuned into the academic side of the net zero behavioural space. It helps to bridge the gap between public sector and academia - which is crucial when developing effective and sustainable net zero policies for the UK. My experience with supporting [the award holder] during the [SME Net Zero Priorities]* focus group workshops in both London and Bristol was an amazing opportunity for my professional development in terms of research skills, building a network, and understanding the wider policy landscape. This experience gave me the opportunity to support hands-on, in-person social research, which I don't always have the chance to do since many of my projects involve managing research contractors. I also learned from observing [the award holder's] skilled organisation and facilitation skills. I'll be able to apply these lessons, such as how to ensure quieter participants are included and how to steer the group back on topic, on a regular basis. As a result, [the award holder] helped to build in-house public sector research expertise. Moreover, through my conversations with diverse workshop participants, I heard about a wide range of experiences of the impacts of climate change and net zero policies. This gave me a stronger understanding of the real-life challenges to reaching net zero in the UK, which I will apply to my team's current and future behavioural science research. [the award holder] is insightful, organised, and knowledgeable about research methods and net zero behavioural science. Her patient and friendly nature makes her approachable as a mentor and colleague, which greatly facilitated my professional development. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to work with her over the past year and learn from her extensive experience." (GSR, The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) |
| Description | Meeting with Chief Scientific Adviser |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | It is assumed that this action was part of a wider evidence review underpinning policy development at this time. |
| Description | 12 Workshops with Owner/Managers of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The award holder conducted a series of narrative workshops with SME owner/managers, in collaboration with the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Over 400 UK SMEs registered their interest in participating in these workshops, demonstrating significant practitioner interest in the work being undertaken. So far the award holder has facilitated 12 workshops (with the support of Social and Behavioural Energy Research (SABER) colleagues), engaging over 50 Owner/Managers across 45 organisations. These workshops have been geographical in spread, with in-person sessions held in Nottingham, London and Bristol, as well as virtual sessions bringing together participants from across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| Description | Engagement with Chambers of Commerce |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The award holder presented her developing work on small and medium sized enterprises priorities in the transition to net zero to the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Engagement with Growth Hubs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The award holder was invited to discuss her developing work on Small and Medium Enterprises Priorities in the transition to net zero with the national network of Growth Hubs and their Growth Hub Cluster Lead Conference Call. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Engagement with Waste and Resources Action Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The award holder presented her developing work on small and medium sized enterprises priorities in the transition to net zero to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Engagement with the British Fashion Council |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The award holder presented her developing work on small and medium sized enterprises priorities in the transition to net zero to leaders of the British Fashion Council |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Engagement with the Cabinet Office |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The award holder presented her developing work on small and medium sized enterprises priorities in the transition to net zero to a member of the Cabinet Office. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Engagement with the Institute for Hospitality |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The award holder presented her developing work on small and medium sized enterprises priorities in the transition to net zero to the Institute for Hospitality. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Fellowship Press Release |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The award holder's involvement in the The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Policy Fellowship was publicised via press release. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2022/07/ntu-researchers-to-work-with-government-po... |
| Description | Presentation to Cross Governmental Net Zero Societal Change Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The award holder was invited to present her developing work exploring small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) priorities in the transition to net zero to a working group of cross governmental representatives: The Cross Government Net Zero Societal Change Group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |