Held in the historic Council Chamber in the Ormond Building, the event brought together around 60 colleagues from across three Manchester Met Faculties, alongside representatives from DWP’s analytical, policy and strategy teams. Opening the day, Professor Nick Brook, our Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, emphasised the critical importance of strong university–government partnerships in shaping evidence‑informed national policy. Reflecting on the event, he noted:

“This workshop was an outstanding demonstration of what can be achieved when world‑class academic insight is brought together with the expertise of DWP colleagues working at the heart of national policy. We look forward to building on this momentum and deepening our collaboration with the Department, ensuring that our research continues to inform and support policies that make a meaningful difference to people’s working lives.”

His words set exactly the right tone for what became an energising and highly collaborative day.

We organised the workshop around three themed Spotlight Sessions, each showcasing research aligned closely with current DWP priorities. Collectively, these sessions highlighted a breadth of work spanning job quality, welfare reform and inclusive workplaces, offering fresh insight into some of the Department’s most pressing Areas of Research Interest. Colleagues presented evidence on women’s health, paternity leave and job quality in sectors such as adult social care, alongside research examining NEET risk factors, progression within Universal Credit and the wider impacts of welfare policy on young people. Complementing this, further work on inclusion, healthy workplaces and job quality frameworks underscored Manchester Met’s significant interdisciplinary strengths and their direct relevance to shaping effective employment and welfare policy.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was the level of engagement from DWP colleagues. Conversations were lively, thoughtful and constructive, with delegates probing evidence gaps, identifying analytical needs and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

In the afternoon, breakout groups enabled deeper discussion around key ARI questions—evaluation, job quality, employer engagement and progression-focused employment support. These smaller group conversations brought analytical challenges into sharp focus while also uncovering promising areas for joint work.

The workshop also marked the conclusion of my Chancellor’s Fellowship. This fellowship has given me the opportunity to strengthen relationships with DWP colleagues, develop new analytical and policy networks, and lay the groundwork for collaborations like this one. Seeing those efforts culminate in a room full of committed civil servants and engaged academics felt incredibly meaningful.

Bringing together such a large group of DWP colleagues demonstrates just how strongly Manchester Met’s research aligns with current policy priorities. Showcasing work from across three Faculties highlighted both the breadth of our expertise and its practical value for policymakers. The high-quality presentations—and the thoughtful discussions they sparked—show what’s possible when robust evidence meets real-world challenges.

With Get Britain Working reforms in full swing, and the DWP preparing to publish its next ARI update later this year, this workshop represents an important step in strengthening evidence partnerships and positioning Manchester Met as a key contributor to national conversations on work, employment and welfare.

I’m excited about what comes next. The relationships, insights and shared ambitions forged during this event will, I hope, shape meaningful collaboration for years to come.