About Us - Insights North East

Insights North East (INE) is a collaborative hub for place‑based policy insights, based at Newcastle University.

The North East of England faces complex public policy challenges that don’t fit neatly into academic disciplines or policy departments. Insights North East empowers policymakers with evidence and support to tackle these issues, shape new possibilities for the region, and improve lives.

We bring together what’s often kept separate: rigorous academic research, the practical wisdom of frontline practitioners and decision-makers, and the lived experience of communities. This isn’t just about assembling information or translating finished research into policy briefs. It’s about creating a fuller picture that equips policymakers with insights that are relevant, grounded, and actionable.

We take a tailored and relationship-centric approach. We bring the right people into conversations early, when questions are still being formed and approaches are open. This allows research to shape policy from the start, and policy challenges can inspire more relevant research for the long term.

Alongside our partners, our knowledge systems allow evidence to reach those who can use it to transform lives in the North East.

Together, we can turn thinking into doing for a better North East.

The INE Difference

Our mission is to ensure that world-class research, community insight, and practitioner expertise reach the changemakers working for the public good.

Rooted in boundary-spanning collaboration, we work with public policy partners in health, local and combined authorities, voluntary organisations, and communities across the region. We occupy a unique space: trusted by academics, embedded with policymakers, and connected to communities.

By bringing together evidence, experience, and community, we create the conditions for genuine transformation in the North East.

Who we are

Embedded partners, not fly-by observers.

We don’t do one-off reports or pre-packaged solutions. We build lasting relationships that bring academics, policymakers, practitioners, and communities into meaningful dialogue.

System-builders, not service providers.

We’re creating a sustainable infrastructure for research-informed decision making across the region. We are experienced facilitators, able to create the space for conversations that step out of day-to-day delivery.

Working ‘with’, not ‘for’.

We understand the pressures policymakers face, the questions communities ask, and the research being produced. We work beyond delivering outputs by being part of the team, advising on internal socialisation and ensuring that our insights genuinely add value to existing knowledge and approaches.

Agile, not rigid.

We respond to emerging priorities and tailor our approach to each context.

Of and for the region.

We have a deep understanding of the underlying drivers and cross-system actors that form the North East policy environment. We are committed to effecting real change for our place and the people who live here. Our deep regional knowledge informs how we support policy partners nationally and internationally.