Policy into Practice offers you the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges of generating policies for the sustainable city. You will undertake a supervised consultancy-based project commissioned by an external organisation, working together with staff and your fellow students to coproduce a series of policy proposals to address an identified ‘real world problem’ or issue identified by the client-organisation. The first part of the module introduces you to the main approaches to consultancy-based policy development, exploring practices of research design for example problem-definition; systematic review of evidence; collecting, analysing and interpreting different types of data; ensuring ethical guidelines; and generating recommendations for policy. The second part of the module consists of a collective inquiry whereby you with fellow students and lecturers undertake fieldwork to generate evidence to support the writing of a research report and policy recommendations for a partner organisation. Taking you out of the classroom, you will learn by ‘doing policy’ and contributing directly to the transformation of our urban environments.

Policy research report – 2000 words – a policy report that generates original data to address a ‘real world problem’ facing a particular city or organisation working to deliver sustainable urban transitions. Learning outcomes: 1,2, 3, 4.

Students work collectively on a project commissioned by an external organisation or university partner. Generated data and analysis are made available to all students on a shared password protected site. Students draw upon available data to write individual reports which are submitted for assessment. Once submitted, working with staff, students then contribute to an overarching report of the client organisation which is co-authored by all participants on the module.

Formative Assessment: The use of structured learning activities will provide students with the opportunity to discuss ideas introduced in the module learning resources during the virtual class-sessions and/or on discussion forums, as well as during the field-course. Where appropriate this will be supported using worksheets and will enable students to self-evaluate their understanding of the learning materials as the module progresses. Students will also be provided with opportunities to discuss their ideas for the graded assignments as the module progresses.

This module will be delivered through a combination of independent online learning, fortnightly virtual class sessions, a four-day international field school (30 hours of learning activities in the field) and planning, researching, and producing the assessments.



Materials and resources that introduce the main themes and key concepts covered in the module, as well as supporting the development of the key skills required to complete the assessment, will be made available via the VLE. These may be in the form of pre-recorded lectures, a set of directed readings, links to videos and other online resources, appropriate micro-certification or Linked-in learning packages, or a mixture.

The scheduled virtual class sessions will provide students with the opportunity to: (i) debate and further explore the ideas and issues introduced in the learning materials; (ii) discuss how they will use them to address the module assessment; and (iii) receive guidance on completing the assessment.

Guided field activities will enable students to apply some of the research approaches and techniques to explore sustainability issues within an actual urban environment. Virtual and desk-based activities will be made available for students unable to complete the field activities.

Students should spend the independent learning hours working through the learning resources and self-instructional materials provided in the VLE, completing preparatory and follow-up activities for the virtual class sessions, and completing the module assessment.

Module Learning Outcome

University Learning Outcome

1. Recognise, integrate and where possible synthesise appropriate theoretical concepts into everyday practice.

Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Analysis, Application

2. Produce an appropriate research design and apply different methods to generate data in relation to a specific policy issue.

Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Enquiry, Analysis, Application, Reflection

3. Critically analyse and generate lessons/recommendations for policy and practice.

Enquiry, Analysis, Problem Solving, Application, Reflection

4. Communicate evidence-based policy recommendations to policymakers.

Analysis, Problem Solving, Application, Reflection

Brownhill, S. & Bradley, Q. (editors – 2017) Localism and Neighborhood Planning: Power to the People. Policy Press

Clark, T. et al. (2021) Bryman’s Social Research Methods (6th edition) OUP Oxford.

Edwards, C. & Imrie, R. (2015) The Short Guide to Urban Policy, Policy Press

Kara, H. (2020) Creative Research Methods: A Practical Guide (2nd edition). Policy Press¿

May, T. & Perry, B. (2022) Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process (5th edition). OUP Oxford¿¿

Portigal, S. (2013) Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights. Rosenfeld Media.

Salet, W. & D’Ottaviano, C. (editors – 2020) The Self-Build Experience: Institutionalization, Place-Making and City Building. Policy Press

Ward, K. (2020) Researching the city: a guide for students (2nd edition). SAGE Publications

Access to: (i) the VLE used for hosting the module learning resources; (ii) the software used to run live virtual classes and meetings; and (iii) relevant eBooks, e-journals, and websites.

Have you ever wondered how you bring about change? Policy into Practice gives you the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges of doing so. You undertake a consultancy-based project commissioned by an external organisation, working together with staff and your fellow students to coproduce a series of policy proposals for a client-organisation. Equipped with the tools of research design and policy development, you leave the classroom behind and learn by ‘doing policy’ as you contribute directly to the transformation of our urban environments. ¿