The system-thinking approach has been instrumental in guiding my practical policy analysis.
Policy Challenge
How can we make research-intensive universities work harder for regional and national economic growth and regeneration? The UK is home to some of the world’s leading research universities but has struggled to achieve its full potential in research commercialisation or industrialisation.
Learning Journey
The system thinking approach provided a powerful framework for practical policy analysis of the problem and synthesis solutions. The main themes that emerged were:
- Policy evolution, not revolution: the need for evidence-driven policy changes that encourage performance improvement and economic return.
- Systems approach: the opportunity to provide radical improvements at lower cost by employing a systems thinking approach and free market practices
- Incentive: recognising how systems and outcomes are often unintended consequences of policy incentives.
- Culture: the calibre and professionalism of the culture of senior leaders in the UK but also the anxiety that a generation of leaders and experts were nearing retirement and many of the skills, knowledge and networks were not being passed on. Collaboration and Insights from Policy Fellows:
The Royal Academy curated a fantastic selection of peers and colleagues for me to engage with and discuss my ideas. The context of the Fellowship provided a unique opportunity to share ideas with a diverse group of leaders that didn’t just help validate and challenge but expanded on it and brought out new perspectives. I was surprised at how the policy challenge and research resonated with leaders and the generosity and enthusiasm I encountered to support the research beyond the Fellowship.

Andrew is CIO of one of the UK’s leading centres for research industrialisation. He is a passionate advocate for the commercialisation of science and engineering as a driver for economic growth and social prosperity.
Impact
The Fellowship identified a set of recommendations to improve the regional economic impact of University R&D while at the same time improving international rankings & standing. A blueprint was developed for implementing policy and practice changes to improve the integration and efficiency of the current research and innovation supply chain and service delivery model. Opportunities for change were explored within the context of political devolution to the regions.
The Fellowship gave me a great introduction to developing my knowledge of systems thinking. It allowed me to employ my consulting skills in a project where a client brief did not constrain me, and I was free to explore ideas more creatively. The Fellowship has also given me my first insights into the political lobbying and policy process and an extraordinary context to meet and learn from leaders and peers from various backgrounds.