The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is conducting a survey on the contribution that the UK’s Arts and Humanities researchers make to the development of public policy. We want to hear about your current and previous work in this area as well as your ideas for the future. For example:

• Have you worked with policymakers before?
• Is there a current or future public policy issue that could benefit from your expertise?

The AHRC would appreciate your contribution to our survey, exploring the important role Arts and Humanities research has to play in this area.

A number of high profile reports have recently argued for increased – and improved – collaboration between academia and government. The British Academy’s 2008 report Punching our Weight calls for both Government and academia to work hard at removing the barriers that prevent them from working together as effectively as they could. The Council for Science and Technology’s 2008 report How Academia and Government can Work Together made similar observations.

The AHRC has two major roles to play in this area. First, we need to make sure that Government is fully aware of the important ways in which your research can contribute to policymaking. Secondly, we want to work with you to help you build mutually beneficial links with policymakers. Many of you already have productive links with policymakers, and if that’s the case, then we would like to hear about it.

The survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. We want to hear about your past and current policy related work, your ideas for the future and the policymakers you have worked with. Your responses will be used to explore the creation of case studies, the development of policy seminars, and for building new partnerships.

Policy work is often of a sensitive nature. We will completely respect the confidentiality of your response.

If there are other Arts and Humanities researchers you know who would be interested in responding, please feel free to forward this email on to them. If you have any comments or queries, you can also email our colleagues at policysurvey@ahrc.ac.uk. The survey will close on 30th January 2010.

We look forward to receiving your response. Please click here to access the survey.

Ends

Notes for editors:

AHRC Media Contact:Jake Gilmore, Communications Manager, tel: 07970994586

Arts & Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK