Setting the regional academic-policy agenda through Y-PERN's academic conference

The client

The Yorkshire & Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN) is creating a step-change in how the region’s universities and policy-making organisations collaborate to support inclusive, place-based policies. First established in 2022 through funding from Research England, it is a partnership between the 12 universities and 18 local and combined authorities in Yorkshire.

Y-PERN’s aim is to facilitate the engagement between policy makers and academics to ensure policy is grounded in academic research and that research is taking into account the needs of real-life people. This collaboration is focused on improving policy outcomes across multiple touchpoints, including homelessness, devolution, net zero, entrepreneurship and more.

The challenge

Y-PERN approached Social based upon work that we had done to support Yorkshire Universities, one of its affiliated organisations, with strategic communications and thought leadership. The Y-PERN team wanted our help to organise its 2025 conference to reflect on the impact of work that had been delivered during a 3-year funding period, which was coming to an end. The venue had been booked, but Y-PERN needed assistance both in the build-up to the event and on the day itself.

The solution

Social’s team has assisted clients at various events, from topping-out ceremonies, to UKREiiF and the Convention of the North, so we were well-placed to meet Y-PERN’s needs. We managed the organisation of the conference from end-to-end, arranging weekly check-ins with the client and producing detailed Gantt charts to ensure the project remained on track.

Our first task was to create the agenda, ensuring balance across each of the Yorkshire subregions, and ensuring we had a diverse range of speakers from a range of both academic and policymaking disciplines to reflect the collaborative spirit of the network.

We then liaised directly with speakers and panellists to secure them for the event, with briefing notes supplied and briefing calls held to ensure a balanced, engaging and relevant discussion.

Using our stakeholder networks, we were able to secure a number of high profile speakers including Harpreet Uppal, MP for Huddersfield, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council, and Councillor Carole Pattison, Leader of Kirklees Council.

As well as organising a series of keynote addresses, including a keynote, we arranged four break-out sessions, covering themes of community engagement, childcare and early years, housing, and business support. Each session featured an academic and a policymaker sharing learnings about their work together in these areas, and acting as facilitators, encouraging invitees to share their own experiences and opinions as part of a balanced and fruitful group discussion on the value and impact of academic-policy collaboration.

We also managed the process of inviting guests and setting up an Eventbrite page for online registrations, as well as creating a public-facing event programme. Social also liaised with the event venue and external suppliers on practical and logistical matters ahead of and during the conference, ensuring that all audio and visual technologies were working efficiently.

To encourage further engagement with the agenda, we used Slido – a platform aimed at encouraging audience interaction – on the day to be able to capture people’s thoughts and feelings on the event during and after the event.

Another key part was the video and photography for the event on the day, where we managed the capture of vox pops and clips for a post-event video, as well as content that could be shared by Y-PERN after the event on social media to maximise the event’s impact and reach those who couldn’t attend in person.

The impact

Social secured 197 confirmed attendees from the academic, public, private and third-sectors, ensuring an almost 50:50 split between academic and policy attendees. Attendees reported back that they were impressed with how well organised the event was, and with the calibre of speakers that we were able to secure on the day.

We also secured 19 speakers and created briefing notes for each of the talks. On the day we managed to film eight vox pops with key representatives from the region.

"The services offered by Social in managing the conference were exceptional. All facets were supported by Social and it worked closely with the organising committee, such that there was continual and effective communication with Social at all times. I would not hesitate to use Social again."

Andy Brown, Y-PERN Academic Director, Professor in Economics and Political Economy, University of Leeds

The client

The challenge

The solution

The impact

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