Melbourne PURE has undertaken a series of case studies of regionally-significant initiatives in which higher education institutions (HEIs) have been engaged. The purpose of the case studies has been to understand better the conditions and the factors which shape effective engagement by HEIs with key stakeholders in the Melbourne region. Each case study has been chosen because it contributes to a larger theme which has been identified as a key priority for Melbourne: regional innovation systems; ‘green’ jobs’; and social inclusion and active citizenship.

This paper has two purposes: firstly, to provide some conceptual framing of the social inclusion theme: what its key elements are; and, how higher education institutions (HEIs) are relevant. Secondly, to draw together the insights from the series of case studies which have been undertaken on social inclusion in the Melbourne region, in October-November 2009. As this work was undertaken, it became apparent that there were two major cases where we were able to conduct interviews with a diverse sample of stakeholders; they have been documented separately, and are attached to this overview. The other case studies are summarised in the body of the overview.