Search: Advanced Search
Where am I?  Home : Knowledge Exchange : Government Placement Fellowships

      Placement Fellowship Scheme

      It is widely recognised that one of the most influential and sustaining knowledge exchange processes is achieved through people being given focused tasks as intermediaries between different communities. This Scheme provides the opportunity for social science researchers to work within 'partner' organisations on projects put forward by that partner. By 'partner' we mean: Government Departments; Devolved Administrations; and other similar organisations.

      Aims of the scheme

      • promote knowledge transfer between academic departments and Government Departments and the staff employed within them
      • provide Government Departments with research-informed evidence to develop and review policy
      • expand networks for Government Departments into academia
      • provide career development opportunities and offer skills updating
      • enable all parties, including ESRC, to develop their understanding of research and policymaking processes and the interactions between them.     

      Eligibility

      The scheme enables the temporary transfer, either on a full time or part time basis, of individuals to/from government and academia.

      Duration

      Fellowships last from between three and 12 months with the researcher remaining employed by his/her university. 

      Conditions

      • Fellows must adhere to the ESRC's requirement of independence from political, commercial or sectional interest throughout the placement
      • Fellows will need to give undertaking to respect a confidentiality agreement, specifying that any data and internal debate will not be disclosed without prior written agreement of the host organisation
      • The purpose can be between either a new or established relationship/partnership but must be a new project, not an already established one
      • ESRC expect there to be measurable and visible outputs in the public domain at the completion of the project
      • Both parties must commit to identifying outcomes after completion of the placement

      Evaluation

      In terms of evaluation the placement, the fellow will provide a report within one month of its conclusion. A further report will be produced by the fellow and the host organisation after 12 months of the end of the placement assessing the short term impacts of the placement. The host partner will also be asked to provide a report on the fellow's outputs.

      Guidance

      Generic ESRC Guidance

       Scheme queries and application process

      Case studies

      The following case studies demonstrate the range and impact of placement fellowships


      Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ
      TEL : 01793 413000 FAX : 01793 413001
      Page Last Updated:  
      24/06/2010 15:32:07