University College London (UCL) International Policy Fellowship 2024

University College London (UCL) International Policy Fellowship 2024. Early or mid-career researchers are invited to apply for a funded training programme in Geneva to grow their understanding of academic-policy engagement within the UN ecosystem.

Virtual pre-session 1: 10 July 2024, 14:00 – 15:30
Virtual pre-session 2: 18 Sep 2024, 14:00 – 16:00
International Geneva Study Trip: 8 – 10 October 2024
Virtual post-session: Early December 2024

Are you active in climate change and environmental governance? Do you want to learn more about engaging with international policymakers?

In line with UCL’s position as London’s Global University, UCL research and expertise informs international public policy and helps to shape collective decision-making.

UCL Global Engagement, Public Policy and the European Institute are offering a policy training programme, which includes a study visit to Geneva. This International Policy Fellowship provides hands-on opportunities to build knowledge and skills around informing international policy.

Building on a successful pilot in November 2023, this programme offers a group of 20-25 researchers from universities across Europe the chance to immerse themselves in the heart of international Geneva. Four places are available to UCL researchers.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about Geneva’s policy ecosystem, engage with a range of stakeholders operating at the science-policy interface in the field of global environmental governance, and reflect on their personal policy engagement priorities.

The selected four UCL participants will be part of a cross-disciplinary community, sharing knowledge and experience in addressing climate policy challenges. UCL participants will be learning alongside peers from 9 European Universities (University of Zurich, 4EU+ Alliance).

Throughout the programme, participants will:

• Learn about strategies and best practices to span the boundary between science and policymakers.
• Develop skills for cultivating the relationships necessary for effective engagement with policymakers in an international context.
• Interact with experts and gain access to policy engagement networks within the Geneva ecosystem.
• Collaborate and learn from peers across Faculties and European universities.
• Receive practical advice and experience from actors working at the science-policy interface in various organizations.
• Develop their individual path for policy engagement.

The focus theme of this year’s programme is Climate Change and Environmental Governance.

Our delivery partner is the GSPI (Geneva Science-Policy Interface), an experienced knowledge brokerage organisation funded to facilitate exchange between scientists and policymakers in Geneva.

About the University College London (UCL) International Policy Fellowship 2024 Programme

• Virtual pre-session 1: introduction to the programme and meet-and-greet of the cohort (1.5 hours, online, co-delivered by the GSPI).
• Virtual pre-session 2: introduction to the science-policy interface and the Geneva ecosystem. Science policy engagement plans and challenges (1.5 hours, online, co-delivered by the GSPI)

2024 International Geneva Study Trip

Led by the Geneva Science-Policy Interface – GSPI, the programme will feature three days of meetings, workshops and networking events in Europe’s UN capital, Geneva, including:

• Day 0: Arrival and informal dinner for participants.
• Day 1: Multilateral policymaking and the mobilisation of science (with staff from selected United Nations organisations), and a tour of the United Nations Office at Geneva (TBC) Reception/meeting with the EU mission (TBC)
• Day 2: Science-policy engagement through intermediaries (with relevant intermediary organisations e.g. the Geneva Environment Network-UNEP, the Global Resource Information Database (GRID) network, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the Geneva Water Hub.
• Day 3: Exchanges on practices of science-policy engagement, with feedback from United Nations policymakers and engaged colleagues from the University of Geneva.
• Virtual post-trip session: Engagement plan presentations and next steps.

Learning outcomes

• Understanding of Decision-Making Processes: Partcipants will gain insights into relevant policy-making processes and the role of science in relation to these, enabling them to better align research activities with global policy agendas and to contribute to science-informed policymaking.
• Expanded Networks: The programme will provide opportunities for networking with researchers and experts from diverse backgrounds, fostering opportunities for knowledge exchange and seeding potential future research partnerships.
• Interdisciplinary Exposure: Participants will engage with peers from various disciplines, broadening their perspectives and encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to addressing global challenges.
• Policy Engagement Skills: By reflecting critically on the policy engagement process, exchanging with peers and engaging directly with policy stakeholders, participants will develop skills necessary to support their personal policy engagement objectives.
• Engagement plan: Participants will be able to draft a policy engagement plan. It will help to guide participation in workshops and networking sessions during the study trip and early engagement with policy actors during and after the end of the fellowship cycle.

Eligibility

• Faculty members in continuing UCL appointments are eligible (you can be employed on a grant, but must be a UCL member of staff).
• Applicants must be active in climate change or environmental governance.
• Applications from all Faculties and disciplines are welcome.
• Applicants should view themselves as early or mid career researchers (EMCRs). Doctoral students are not eligible.

Costs

UCL Global Engagement will cover all travel and accommodation expenses for the training visit (beginning at the airport). All lunches and at least two group dinners will be provided, with other smaller subsistence costs met personally or by departments, in line with UCL’s expenses policy.

How to Apply

1. Please apply using the application form below.
2. Deadline for applications via the portal: Sunday 2 June 2024.
3. Selected participants will be notified in the week beginning 10 June 2024.

For more information:Visit the website for University College London (UCL) International Policy Fellowship 2024