INVITATION ONLY
How does engineering inform public policy, and how can engineers engage more effectively with decision‑makers?
In this Academy Insights session, you will go behind the scenes of the Academy’s policy team and the work of the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC). The session will explore the role of policy in the Academy's strategy, why engineering expertise is critical to good policy, how the Academy and NEPC works with government, and the different ways engineers contribute to policymaking.
Why attend?
- Understand how engineering expertise influences public policy
- Learn how the Academy works with government through the NEPC
- Discover routes for getting involved, regardless of prior policy experience
- Ask your questions directly or anonymously in a Q&A with the Associate Director of Policy
What to expect
We will begin with an introduction to the NEPC and the Academy's work in policy, including how policy topics are selected, how evidence is developed, and how relationships with government are built.
You will gain practical insight into how to identify the right policy audiences, how impact is achieved, and what meaningful engagement looks like in practice. To bring this to life, the first half of the session will include insights into Academy reports, and an interactive discussion on how engineering influences policy, to showcase the breadth of policy areas the Academy works across.
The second half of the session will be an open Q&A where you will have the opportunity to ask candid questions about policy influence, engagement routes, and how engineers at different career stages can contribute.
This session is designed to demystify policy, build confidence, and make pathways into policy engagement clearer and more accessible.
Accessibility
It is very important to the Royal Academy of Engineering that our events are accessible to all. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact Kirsty Chishti at your earliest convenience so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Diversity monitoring form
The Academy is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and one of our goals is to develop an engineering community fit for the future. To help us achieve this, we would like to collect some basic anonymous data about the event attendees. If you would like to help, please complete the diversity monitoring form by logging into your user account on our website and completing ‘Update my D&I data’.
Dr Natasha McCarthy
Dr Natasha McCarthy is the Associate Director for Policy at the Royal Academy of Engineering. Natasha has a background in philosophy of science and engineering and wide-ranging experience in policy, ethics in engineering, technology, and AI. She was part of the founding team of UCL’s Dept of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, led the policy team at the British Academy, and the Royal Society’s Data and Digital Policy team.
Natasha explores the ethical considerations that underpin technology stewardship and the practical steps engineers can take to ensure these systems are designed and delivered responsibly.
What is the Academy Insights series?
Academy Insights is an online event series that takes Awardee Excellence Community members behind the scenes of some the Academy’s most exciting upcoming projects.
Each event will lead with a presentation from a senior member of Academy staff, followed by breakout discussions or Q&As, ensuring you leave informed, inspired and with a clear idea how you can support the Academy’s work going forward.
Log in to the Awardees’ Area to explore more about the series and watch back previous events.
Who should attend?
This session is open to all members of the Awardee Excellence Community interested in policy work and ways to get involved with the team.