Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

About the Policy Institute

The Policy Institute at King’s College London works to solve society’s challenges with evidence and expertise.

Part of the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, we combine the rigour of academia with the agility of a consultancy and the connectedness of a think tank.

Our research draws on many disciplines and methods, making use of the skills, expertise and resources of not only the institute, but the university and its wider network too.

Research

The Policy Institute works across five main research areas, with communications, impact and engagement an important connecting thread. Our research themes are: Trust, facts and democracy; Communities and opportunity; Health systems and delivery; The value of evidence; and Children and young people.

Find out more about our research themes

Our units

The Policy Institute is home to several affiliated initiatives and organisations that all share an interest in ensuring that evidence and expertise inform policy and practice:
• The UK in a Changing Europe
• The Strand Group
• The School for Government
• The NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce

Visiting faculty

The Policy Institute has built a network of visiting fellows and professors, including former civil servants, politicians, journalists and independent thinkers, who give their time and expertise to the institute and wider King’s community. They are a valuable resource, playing a key role in strengthening the relationship between academia, policy and practice.

See our visiting faculty

Media

The Policy Institute's work is regularly cited in the media, and its researchers often write and provide analysis for a range of national and international outlets.

Read the latest news from the team

Parliamentary Research Internship Programme

The King’s Parliamentary Research Internship Programme is a unique opportunity for PhD and postdoctoral researchers to engage directly with the inner workings of parliament.

Established and overseen by Baroness Deborah Bull, in collaboration with the Policy Institute and King’s Careers & Employability, 10-month part-time internships support the work of parliamentarians in the House of Lords and are designed to give participants first-hand experience of how evidence and analysis can be used to inform policymaking, while peers gain valuable assistance from skilled researchers.

Find out more about the programme