Loughborough University Policy Unit
Source: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/ Parent: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/expertise/
The Policy Unit provides a channel for the University's research and researchers to realise productive and beneficial impact on public policy, at local, national and international level.
It aims to enhance and strengthen the University’s research impact by:
Influencing policy through authoritative engagement and dialogue
Shaping political and civic debate
Promoting a research and evidence-based approach
Maximising policy impact
Loughborough University’s research spans from world-leading sports science and climate research to expertise in fact-checking, policy analysis and storytelling. To reflect its engagement with the most pressing contemporary policy challenges, the Policy Unit has organised this work into four strategic pillars: net zero, the natural and built environments; sport, health and wellbeing; education, skills and innovation; and AI, digital and infrastructure. Together, these pillars showcase the University’s capacity to generate rigorous, policy-relevant insight across disciplines. Despite the diversity of specialisms, Loughborough University researchers are united by shared values: a commitment to collaboration across sectors, an adventurous approach to tackling complex problems, and a creative ethos that translates research excellence into meaningful real-world impact.
[## Net zero, natural and built environments
Addressing the threat of climate change, preserving natural environments and improving the built environment through cutting-edge research.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/net-zero-natural-built-environment/)
[## Education, skills and innovation
Equipping our students and researchers with skills for the future. Cutting-edge research addressing key challenges in the education system affecting children and young people.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/education-skills-innovation/)
[## AI, Digital and Infrastructure
Cutting-edge research on themes around AI, digital and infrastructure, aimed at maximising the opportunities of these fast-advancing technologies. Working with policymakers on how best to harness this digital potential to increase productivity and improve security in a changing world.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/ai-digital-infrastructure/)
[## Sport, health and wellbeing
Harnessing Loughborough University’s world-leading sport, health and wellbeing research to inform policymakers of interventions they can make to improve the health of the nation.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/sport-health/)
Work with us
Loughborough University’s researchers are at the forefront of interdisciplinary working for societal benefit and with 91% of our research classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021).
Loughborough University has policy partnerships and collaborations with local, national and international institutions. We can partner to, for example, to: provide private briefings, contribute to roundtable discussions or generate new knowledge.
Please get in touch with Graham Hitchen if you would like to find out more, or Paddy Smith to work with us.
[## About us
Meet the Policy Unit team and find out more about the Unit.](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/team/)
[## Policy briefing papers
View our policy briefing papers on a range of topics](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/briefing-papers/)
[## Inquiries and Consultations
Read submissions by Loughborough University academics to Government Inquiries and Consultations](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/inquiries-consultations/)
[## Policy blogs and researcher spotlight
Read blogs from our researchers and learn more about their policy placements](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/researcher-spotlight/)
Latest news and events
[### Policy Unit 2026 Spring update
2 March 2026](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/news/2026-news/spring-update/)
[### Dr Arman Mazhikeyev awarded prestigious UKRI Policy Fellowship
12 February 2026](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/news/2026-news/arman-ukri-fellow/) [### Dr Francisco Azpitarte awarded UKRI Policy Fellowship to advance evidence-driven SEN policy in Northern Ireland
12 February 2026](https://www.lboro.ac.uk/policy-unit/news/2026-news/fran-ukri-fellow/)
Discover more events