Policy@Manchester announces new Co-Directors

21 Sep 2022

Our University's sector-leading policy engagement institute also says thank you to its outgoing Co-Directors

Policy@Manchester has announced the appointment of two new Co-Directors who are joining the team this month (September 2022).

Dr Maria Sharmina will join as the Co-Director for Science and Engineering and Professor Cecilia Wong has been appointed as the Co-Director for Humanities. Maria and Cecilia, join Professor Arpana Verma who represents the faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health.

Policy@Manchester also thanked Professor Francesca Gains and Professor Anna Scaife, who are both finishing their appointments after more than four years as Co-Directors.

During that time, they have overseen the introduction of a new strategy, the formation of the GM Policy Hub and significant input into REF supporting academics across the three faculties. They have steered a strategic course for the team ensuring that impact and support for our research has been at the heart of what Policy@Manchester does. Importantly, Francesca and Anna have enabled the unit to remain sector leading and leave it in a strong position as it enters the next academic year and policy cycle.

Chair of the Policy@Manchester Strategy Board, Professor Colette Fagan, and Vice-President for Research, thanked both Francesca and Anna for their commitment, expertise and impact in their roles over the last four years and this was wholeheartedly seconded by the board membership.

Tanya Graham, Head of Policy@Manchester, said: “Francesca and Anna have been a real strength to the team, ensuring strong relationships between the faculties and team and driving Policy@Manchester forward strategically and with a positive focus. Personally, I will miss their support and experience and wish them well as they look forward to new projects.”

Arpana said: “It has been a pleasure to work with my fellow Co-Directors over the last few months and I would like to thank them both for their warm welcome and support when I joined the team earlier this year. I wish them both all the best.”

Welcoming new Co-Directors

Tanya added: “The team and I are delighted to welcome Maria and Cecilia to the team. The Co-Director role is pivotal in driving forward the strategy and focus of the unit and both Maria and Cecilia not only bring with them extensive policy experience but a fundamental appreciation of the societal challenges over the next few years. Personally, I very much look forward to working with our Co-Directors over the next few months and years as we navigate a challenging policy environment.”

Maria Sharmina is Reader in Energy and Sustainability at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in the School of Engineering. Her research on low-carbon energy and circular economy involves interdisciplinary approaches to complex policy problems, and aims to provide a conduit between academics and policymakers. Maria brings a wealth of experience of working with policy makers, particularly across government departments.

Cecilia is Professor of Spatial Planning in the School of Environment, Education and Development and Director of the Spatial Policy and Analysis Lab of the Manchester Urban Institute. She is a Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute. She is currently a member of the UK National Infrastructure Commission’s Levelling Up Advisory Panel, a Commissioner of the UK2070 Commission on Regional Inequalities, a Commissioner of the Productivity Commission, and a member of the UK Digital Planning Task Force. Her research expertise includes strategic planning, spatial policy monitoring and analysis, urban and regional development, and housing and infrastructure planning. Cecilia’s experience and strong policy networks, both regionally and nationally, will be extremely influential in determining future strategies for the team.

Professor Colette Fagan stated: "It is a real pleasure to welcome Maria and Cecilia to the Strategy Board and I look forward to working with them to deliver on the Our future strategy and the promotion of our research through policy – shaping debates and influencing policy design for the benefit of society is at the heart of our research and impact strategy."

More information

• To find out more about Policy@Manchester please visit our website or find us at @UoMPolicy.