Caroline Bond's DfE seminar sparked dialogue, practical ideas, and new research on school attendance through focused academic-policy engagement.
Opening the door to engagement
Professor Caroline Bond, an educational psychologist at the University of Manchester, submitted a short, accessible article in response to one of Department for Education's (DfE) ARI questions. In response, she was invited to deliver a lunchtime seminar for DfE staff on multi-agency working and school attendance. This session provided her with a platform to share evidence-based insights and highlight practical strategies for improving attendance. Caroline described it as "a great chance to share evidence and start a conversation about what works in practice."
Focusing on dialogue
The seminar opened the door to a smaller, focused Q&A session with officials whose roles directly related to attendance, which Caroline found to be highly productive. "It felt like a real two-way conversation," she explained, noting that the questions were thoughtful and that it was clear that the participants were considering how they could apply the evidence. These discussions allowed Caroline to share practical recommendations and sparked new research ideas.
Lasting impact
Caroline's engagement has delivered meaningful outcomes for both her academic work and the policy community. The lunchtime seminar created an initial platform for sharing evidence, but it was the focused Q&A that truly deepened the dialogue. Reflecting on the experience, Caroline emphasised the importance of moving from broad presentations to more focused discussions. While the seminar introduced key ideas, the smaller session allowed her to connect with the right people and have meaningful conversations that were targeted and impactful.
"If we had more of these conversations, we could align research with policy needs and make a real difference."
Through these interactions, Caroline developed valuable relationships within Department for Education and beyond, opening the door to future collaboration. The discussions also inspired her to commission new research exploring how multi-agency working can be strengthened in local authorities - an area where evidence is currently limited.
Advice for academics
Caroline encourages colleagues to embrace engagement opportunities and not underestimate the value of their expertise. "Even a short session can spark ideas and influence thinking."
