About

The Yorkshire & Humber Policy Engagement & Research Network (Y-PERN) is a network approach to building closer collaborations and engagements between policy makers and academics in the region.

It aims to create a step change in how these communities work together. This is through its four work programmes: 1) through supporting sub-regional activity (e.g. West Yorkshire focused), 2) regional activity (e.g. priorities for Yorkshire &  Humber policy makers at a regional scale), 3) providing capacity and training for policy makers and academics and 4) evaluating the Y-PERN model.

Y-PERN @ Leeds

We aim to build an active and inclusive network of researchers within the University of Leeds who will engage with regional policy through Y-PERN.

For colleagues who are interested in learning more about Y-PERN, want to get involved in Y-PERN's activities, or feel their research is applicable to the regions of Yorkshire, please view our people's page to identify who would be best for you to contact.

Please also view Y-PERN's introduction to Leeds academics.

If your policy interests relate specifically to Leeds City Council, and University of Leeds' priority policy partners, get in touch with Policy Leeds, the University's policy engagement hub.

Y-PERN Inaugural Conference

The inaugural Y-PERN Conference was held on 19-20 January 2023, at the University of Leeds. The event launched the project and provided an opportunity for policymakers, partners and academics from across the region and beyond to illustrate and discuss the key economic, social and environmental issues facing Yorkshire and the Humber.

For an overview of the discussions, please view the Y-PERN Inaugural Conference Sway