At the end of February 2025, as part of a drive to re-connect with Lancaster University alumnus, the Politics, Philosophy and Religion (PPR) Department invited alumni Daniel Snape to return to campus and tell students about his role at the Bank of England. Daniel graduated in 2016 with a First Class degree in Politics and International Relations.

His career path has taken him to courts, bunkers, hospitals, embassies, universities, and parliaments, culminating in his role as a Lead Policy Advisor in the Bank of England, giving him a special interest in the varied standards of the UK’s policy profession.

To make the most of Daniel’s time with us, we organised two events. The first; Policymaking: ‘what works’ and what doesn’t was aimed at staff and students already familiar with the issues involved.

The panel featured Lancaster experts from diverse fields who discussed how academic research can inform policy. Professor Stephen Wilkinson (bioethics) shared his insights on making ethical research relevant to policymakers. Professor Charlotte Baker (School of Global Affairs) discussed her role in securing UN Resolution 47/8 on harmful practices linked to witchcraft and its implementation. Professor Heather Brown (health inequalities) reflected on her work with local governments to evaluate the impact of planning policy on health. Dr. Jake Ainscough (climate policy) examined public participation in policymaking and the challenges of balancing stakeholder expectations.

Additionally, LU Alumna Amreen Qureshi (migration policy) explored the effectiveness of non-state actors in influencing policy. Daniel Snape (financial policy) discussed the statutory demands which shape public decision-making and governance at the Bank of England. Together, these speakers provided valuable perspectives on the practicalities and challenges of translating research into policy across various sectors.

The second talk, entitled Beyond Hashtags & Dreams: paths to making real-world change was more informal, with the use of a bicycle bell to denote the end of the speaker’s presentation time! This talk was badged as a Careers talk, open to all students across disciplines, with the aim to provide practical examples and opportunities to start making change in their world.

Christopher May is a Lancaster Emeritus Professor of Political Economy, and an expert in law, society, and intellectual property. His talk explored how individual actions can drive change, using "match-making" as a model for impact, even if actions do not lead to recognition. He also discussed meaningful work as both structure and behaviour, along with his involvement in the Eden Project. Dr. Mirian Calvo, a specialist in participatory urban planning, highlighted how students can influence the future of Lancaster’s built environment by collaborating with policymakers in Lancaster City Council to ensure young voices shape local development.

Daniel Snape provided insights into the governance of the UK's financial regulations and how political beliefs are protected under the Equality Act 2010. His talk examined potential future restrictions on political movements and how these may affect public discourse and policymaking. Jenna Higham, a PhD student in the PPR Department, shared her experiences of being involved in Lancaster Student Union, Policy School and the Richardson Institute to show these are opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in policymaking. Additionally, the LUSU Climate Action Group discussed their initiatives, including educational events, debates, and environmental clean-up projects, emphasising student-led efforts to reduce environmental impact. All change-making, as well as being beneficial, can also provide excellent examples of skills for a CV!

Related Blogs

• 

  What’s Literature Got to Do with It? How Literature Shapes Our View of Reproductive Technology

• 

  In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG) – What Issues Does It Raise? Video recording and transcript

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.