The Policy Institute at King’s College London works to solve society’s challenges with evidence and expertise. 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. The institute’s current research programme spans six areas:

• The value of evidence
• Defence and security policy
• Health systems and delivery
• Communities and opportunity
• Cities, growth and innovation
• Trust, facts and democracy

This research is supported through communications, impact and engagement activities. The institute has a strong track record of engaging with the media to promote research findings and stimulate public debate, generating coverage in outlets including the Guardian, the Times, the Independent, the Daily Telegraph, and the Financial Times, and across broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

The Policy Institute’s work is enhanced by its network of visiting fellows and professors, including current and former civil servants, politicians, journalists, writers and researchers, who give their time and expertise to the institute and wider King’s community. They are a valuable resource, providing expert advice on research projects, opening up their networks to maximise the impact of our work and strengthening the relationship between academia, policy and practice.

The Policy Institute also provides space for several initiatives and organisations from within and outside King’s that share an interest in ensuring that evidence and expertise inform policy and practice. They make up the institute's Policy Park, which includes the following organisations: the NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit, the UK in a Changing Europe, the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, the Strand Group,  the Pensions Policy Institute, the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, the Citizens Convention on UK Democracy, and What Works: Social Mobility & Student Success.

The Policy Institute is led by Professor Bobby Duffy. Prior to joining King's, Bobby was Managing Director of Public Affairs for Ipsos MORI, which is a team of around 230 researchers in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Brussels, and Global Director of the Ipsos Social Research Institute, across around 30 countries.