Chris Hewson

Background

About Chris Hewson

As the Head of Policy Engagement at the University of Huddersfield, I work with colleagues to develop structures and processes that enhance our policy engagement activities both locally and across the wider region. This includes working alongside existing initiatives such as the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN) and the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). In addition to this role, I serve as the Director of Business Development and Partnerships and co-chair of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN). A key focus of my work is building a long-term sustainability model for UPEN as it evolves into a national infrastructure connecting academia with public policy. This initiative is supported by a four-year investment (2025-2028) from the Research England Development (RED) Fund and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Prior to joining Huddersfield, I was the Research Impact Manager in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of York, where I led the university’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), its engagement with the Aspect SHAPE commercialisation network (led by the London School of Economics), and the Faculty's REF impact case study portfolio. Previously, I held professional services (impact) roles at the Universities of Manchester, Salford, and Sheffield, and prior to 2013 research roles at the Universities of Manchester and Durham. In undertook my PhD in the sociology department at Lancaster University, under the supervision of Professor John Urry on the topic of community media policy and the relationship(s) between new technological developments and citizenship.