Katherine Saunders, Senior Policy Fellow, Government Office for Science and University College London

I have been in post as Senior Policy Fellow at BR-UK since July 2024, and my role is seconded half time to the Government Office for Science. The aim of my role is to bridge the gap between the research BR-UK conducts (including research it funds) and policy makers in all four nations across UK government. I spend my time identifying opportunities for collaboration, translating academic findings for a policy audience, facilitating and establishing relationships in government, and contributing to behavioural research projects. 

I have always been interested in the ‘why’. I was specifically interested in why people engage in offending or antisocial behaviour, leading me to undertake an MSc in Forensic Mental Health Research and a PhD on domestic violence perpetration. This background in violence research, as well as my previous post-doc position working with Department of Health and Social Care policy makers in the NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, served me particularly well while working on the recent BR-UK project on the 2024 riots in England and Northern Ireland and translating emerging findings from this project for policy makers. 

Behavioural research can take you almost anywhere. With behavioural research skills, you will be in demand in almost every industry, so my advice is - think big and think bold when it comes to making your next move! 

Relationships, relationships, relationships. Learn how to develop them (particularly across sectors), how to communicate, how to leverage them, how to work in a reciprocal manner. The better the quality of the relationships you have with your colleagues, managers, mentors, the wider your reach will be and the more opportunities you will come by.