PolicyWISE to help shape the future of research skills development in the UK

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PolicyWISE is really proud to be part of a major new initiative that will transform how research skills are developed and supported across the UK’s social sciences.

The Open University has been awarded £4.9 million by the UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to lead the creation of a new Research Capability Hub—a five-year programme that will drive innovation in research training and capacity building. PolicyWISE is a core delivery partner in this ambitious project.

 A strategic investment in the UK’s research infrastructure

This significant investment places the OU, and its partners, at the forefront of reshaping the UK’s research training landscape. The Hub will support researchers at all career stages across academia, government, business, and the third sector, with a strong focus on inclusion, innovation, and impact.

 At PolicyWISE, we are committed to strengthening the links between research, policy, and practice. Our involvement in the Hub reflects our mission to build capacity and foster collaboration across the four nations of the UK. We will play a key role in ensuring that the training offer is relevant, accessible, and aligned with the real-world needs of policymakers and practitioners.

 A new model for research skills training

The Hub will:

  • Coordinate and enhance research skills provision across sectors
  • Promote lifelong learning and continuing professional development
  • Use innovative digital platforms, including the OU’s OpenLearn Create, to deliver personalised, scalable learning
  • Support ESRC’s vision for a world-class, diverse, and inclusive research base.

 Dewi Knight, Director of PolicyWISE, said:

“This is a transformative opportunity to embed research skills development at the heart of evidence-informed policy and practice. PolicyWISE is proud to be part of a collaborative effort that will not only strengthen the UK’s research infrastructure but also ensure that training is responsive to the needs of those working to shape and deliver policy across all four nations. We look forward to co-creating learning that is inclusive, impactful, and rooted in real-world challenges.”

 Collaboration at the core

The Hub is a collaborative effort led by the OU’s Institute of Educational Technology, Faculty of Business and Law, and PolicyWISE, working alongside partners including:

  • University College London
  • Swansea University
  • Queen’s University Belfast
  • University of Gothenburg
  • UKRI Future Leaders Fellows Development Network
  • Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR)
  • Social Partnership Networks