Class of 2024

Meet the Greater Manchester Policy Fellows who joined us for the inaugural year of our fellowship scheme.

In 2024, we launched our Greater Manchester Policy Fellowship Scheme and welcomed five fellows for the inaugural year of the programme. Throughout the year, we facilitated meetings and co-organised roundtables and campus visits to support the fellows to achieve their goals.

Meet some of the fellows that joined us in 2024. 

• 

  James Brannan

  At the time of his fellowship, James Brannan was a Senior Cyber Security Policy Advisor at the Cabinet Office, with responsibility for risk management and governance, and supply chain and software security. He previously worked at HMRC. James has a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Policymaking from King’s College London and studied Politics and Modern History at The University of Manchester. 

  "Being a part of the inaugural Policy@Manchester GM Policy Fellowship Scheme has provided an incredibly rewarding experience to bridge the gap between academia and government policy, with access to The University of Manchester's academic experts helping bring a fresh perspective to how we approach the pressing issues in our field. I’m very much looking forward to continuing to bolster these relationships through the creation of a regular Security Academic Research Forum, which I’m hoping to roll out and expand across government.”

• 

  Tricia Francis

  During her fellowship, Tricia Francis was Productivity Specialist – Professional & Business Services at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Before that, as a Trade Partnerships Manager she led the development and delivery of the Export Plan for Cheshire & Warrington and Liverpool City Region. In 2018 Tricia completed her Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at The University of Manchester.

  "For me, the November roundtable, organised by the Policy team, was pivotal in engaging with the Greater Manchester Professional and Business Services ecosystem to discuss productivity challenges and solutions. We are now proud to become the inaugural alumni of this Fellowship Scheme and looking forward to further conversations with the University's Policy team and researchers, as well as connecting with future fellows.”

• 

  Lauren Probert

  At the time of her fellowship, Lauren Probert was Head of Research and Futures at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). She was a member of the Government Social Research profession, and has worked at six government departments in analysis, policy and strategy roles. Before joining the Civil Service, Lauren completed a PhD considering the role of energy suppliers in tackling fuel poverty.

• 

  Rachel Smith

  Rachel studied history at Cambridge and King's College London before working in the private sector and later joining the Civil Service. During her fellowship with us, she was Head of Innovation Ecosystem Policy at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Before this, Rachel was at the Department for Education, working on policy areas ranging from higher education to adult skills to school academy trusts.

  "My policy fellowship with The University of Manchester has been a brilliant opportunity to build relationships with academic experts. Their fresh insight has been really thought-provoking and helped me grapple with some challenging policy issues."

  Read Rachel's reflections