United Kingdom  

This webinar, hosted by City-REDI, University of Birmingham, will focus on how universities can play a strong role in local economic recovery. This is the third in a series bringing together the network of universities across the UK that are following up on the recommendations of the Civic University Commission to develop plans with local partners that mobilise university resources to support the wellbeing of their communities.

The focus of this webinar is on how civic universities can play a stronger role in local economic recovery, renewal and inclusive growth through working with local stakeholders, businesses, local government, the NHS and the community and voluntary sectors.

There is significant variation across UK regions and nations, in terms of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the underlying economic, health, social welfare, and community challenges faced by local stakeholders. This adds weight to the need for local solutions, supported by central government, to drive recovery and longer-term inclusive growth. There is also significant variation in local governance and institutional forms across UK regions and nations, and different levels of existing embeddedness and partnership between universities and their places.

Despite this, many universities have historically worked closely with private and public-sector partners in their city-regions, making a major contribution as part of their civic commitment. The current pandemic has particularly revealed where strong, existing ties – with local policy authorities, NHS Trusts, businesses, or communities – have provided the platform to quickly deliver support to local stakeholders at a time of need. It has also shown where we need to develop better collaborative structures and incentives to fill gaps in this contribution.

The aim is to share experience between members of the network and enable participants to question national policy influencers and those in working university - regional partnerships.

The Webinar will consist of three parts:

1. The national context – the role of universities in connecting economic growth and social inclusion

Guest speakers:

• Lord Robert Kerslake (Chair of the Civic University Commission)
• Lord David Willetts (President - Resolution Foundation)
• Sarah Davidson (CEO - Carnegie UK Trust)

2. Regional partnership examples – Universities working with local stakeholders. What works well and what needs to work?

Guest speakers include:

Des McNulty, Assistant Vice-Principal for Economic Development and Civic Engagement, University of Glasgow and Kevin Rush, Director of Regional Economic Growth at Glasgow City Council

Jane Robinson, Dean of Engagement and Place, Newcastle University, and Dr Henry Kippin, Director of Economic Growth for North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA)

Rebecca Riley, University of Birmingham and Jonathon Skinner Head of Economy and Local Industrial Strategy at West Midland Combined Authority

3. The way ahead for maximising / optimising civic university contributions.

Final Q&A session chaired by Simon Collinson - Director of the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WM REDI) and City-REDI

There will be a Q&A opportunity at the end of each section.

REGISTER HERE