New Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship Offers Unique Opportunity for Policy Professionals

We have launched an exciting initiative designed to strengthen the bridge between academic research and policy impact. The Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship Scheme invites experienced policy professionals to collaborate with research teams, offering a unique opportunity to translate academic insights into actionable policy solutions.

A Fellowship Designed for Policy Leaders

The Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship is tailored for professionals with at least 5–10 years of experience in policy-focused roles across government, think tanks, charities, or business policy units. It provides the chance to work closely with leading researchers at Manchester Met to enhance the policy impact of existing research. Fellows may either identify a research team they wish to collaborate with or be matched by MetroPolis to a relevant group.

Unlike the Chancellor’s Fellowship, which is awarded to established academics, this new initiative is aimed at those in policy roles who have led significant policy projects and programmes. The scheme offers fellows funding of up to £8,000, covering travel, accommodation, and research-related materials, ensuring financial support for their placement.

What to Expect as a Visiting Fellow

Successful applicants will engage with their chosen research team for a period of 20–30 days, which can be completed as a single block or spread across several months. Fellows will not only contribute to research impact but also gain first-hand insight into the academic research process.

During their time at Manchester Met, Fellows will have access to university facilities, including the library and other resources, along with a Manchester Met staff card and email address.

At the conclusion of their Fellowship, participants are expected to share their reflections in a blog post for the MetroPolis website and may be invited to present their insights to the MetroPolis Reference Group.

How to Apply

Applications for the Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship are open on a rolling basis, meaning interested professionals can apply at any time. To express interest, candidates should email mcrmetropolis@mmu.ac.uk with a brief summary of their experience and initial ideas for their Fellowship.

Successful applicants are expected to begin their placement within three months, though flexibility is offered in exceptional circumstances. Selection criteria include relevant policy experience, clarity of objectives, and the potential for measurable policy impact.

For further details, please email metropolis@mmu.ac.uk.