A new partnership for London’s researchers and policymakers

About this initiative

London has an extraordinary wealth of research to draw on. It has one of the world’s greatest concentrations of academic expertise, with its universities producing internationally recognised work across fields central to the future of cities and many of the challenges facing London.

To make the most of this expertise, a new partnership is being developed between the GLA, London Councils, London Higher and the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) to strengthen collaboration between London’s research and policy communities.

Our vision

We will build on existing strategic partnerships and networks to act as a catalyst for new creative ways for policymakers to access the evidence and insight within our institutions; to give researchers clearer routes into the policy questions where their research can make a difference; and to build shared research agendas to better serve London’s needs.

As devolution creates new opportunities to shape London’s future at a regional level, policymakers need more than ever to have timely access to the best evidence, insight and expertise.

The partnership will also work together to ensure that London’s challenges are reflected in national research agendas and funding programmes and demonstrate nationally and internationally what effective collaboration between a major city-region, its universities and its policymakers can achieve.

London’s Research Ecosystem

A national asset: London’s research ecosystem is a powerhouse of innovation and development. From cutting-edge medical breakthroughs to sustainable environmental solutions, the research undertaken in the capital drives progress and prosperity right across the country. Returns flow across the UK through collaboration, supply chains, spin-outs, graduates and inward investment.

Complementary, not competitive: World-leading expertise in sustainability, social sciences, urban transformation, public service reform, economic growth, crime and safety, health and wellbeing can be leveraged by policymakers to inform decision-making that tackles the most pressing societal challenges.

A global gateway: The comparisons for London are other global cities – Boston, New York, Singapore and Paris. Investment decisions here are about whether the UK keeps a world-leading position, not about how a UK share is divided.

Excellence and investment: 47% of London’s research rated 4*(world-leading) in the REF2021 results, demonstrating the world-class outputs derived from research spend in the capital. The UK attracted $17bn in venture capital in H1 2026, its strongest first half since 2022 and double the previous year. London accounted for $14bn of it. The UK now takes 41 per cent of all European deep tech and life sciences funding, up from 23 per cent a year earlier. London is number one in Europe for life sciences venture capital investment.

LUMEN – London Universities’ Knowledge Mobilisers Engagement Network

The LUMEN Directory is a living map of the people working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice across London’s universities. These are the knowledge mobilisers of London: specialists who turn academic insights into action, and policy challenges into shared research opportunities.

Get involved

The partnership will trial a range of approaches from rapid evidence and expert brokerage to longer-term collaborations around London’s strategic challenges.

Visit our partners’ websites for more information on the partnership, Areas of Research Interest for London, and more.