Doing fundamental science is all well and good, but how do you ensure that any critical outcomes make it into wider policy? There are many ways to approach this issue, and luckily there are some fantastic general guides already online written by experts in the field which you can find links to in the side bar.
For advice and support specific to the University, the Centre for Science and Policy are a key contact. If you decide you would like a policy element to be a part of a grant proposal, they are able to help you draft a Pathways to Impact plan, and can provide services such as running workshops with policy makers, pairing with policy fellows and organising secondments in government.
Learned societies such as the Royal Society of Biology, British Ecological Society and Royal Society also provide opportunities for researchers to contribute to policy making. Many run internship or fellowship schemes, where researchers are taken on for a fixed term to gain experience in drafting policy summaries or communicating with politicians. These are often advertised on their websites and twitter accounts, and CambPlants will highlight them on our own twitter account where possible. Get in touch if you are interested in these opportunities and we can make sure to alert you when we see them.
Sense About Science runs Voice of Young Science, a network of early career researchers across Europe committed to playing an active role in public discussions about science. You can find out more and get involved here.