Entering the tech era: tech weeks and the automotive age

By John Bryson, Professor of Enterprise and Economy Geography The Department of Strategy and International Business This week marks London Tech Week (10-14 June) – a week intended to unite technology and talent in a world-class innovation hub. Like London, Birmingham Tech Week (taking place 7-11 October) will highlight the city’s growing technology scene. The … Continue reading “Entering the tech era: tech weeks and the automotive age”

Our impact on the local economy

By Dr Amir Qamar, Research Associate within City-REDI, and Dr Chloe Billing, Research Fellow at City-REDI Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham UoB is certainly responsible for teaching and generating future leaders, but we should not forget that UoB plays an important part in shaping the economy within the West Midlands. Birmingham was recently ranked … Continue reading “Our impact on the local economy”

Another mall, another high street closure – is there really anything to worry about?

By Professor Isabelle Szmigin, Professor of Marketing Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham While high street retailers will continue to battle their online competition, out-of-town malls, business rates and expensive car parking, they still have their fate in their own hands. We’re already seeing the high street take a big hit in 2018, with Toys R … Continue reading “Another mall, another high street closure – is there really anything to worry about?”

What will your life be like in older age? Further rationale for an education and skills based industrial strategy

By Holly Birkett (Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour), Fiona Carmichael (Professor of Labour Economics) and Jo Duberley (Professor of Organisational Studies) People’s lives in older age vary as much as they do at any other time of their lives. This variation is partly dependent on the path your earlier life course followed. This conclusion is based … Continue reading “What will your life be like in older age? Further rationale for an education and skills based industrial strategy”

Growing and Aligning Demand and Supply of Skills for Inclusive Growth

For inclusive growth there is a need for policy action on both the demand side and the supply side – the objective is more and better jobs. By Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development at the University of Birmingham A key challenge for the UK and its regions and cities is low productivity vis-à-vis … Continue reading “Growing and Aligning Demand and Supply of Skills for Inclusive Growth”

How Consumer Behaviour Is Driving Innovation in the UK Food Sector: Five Lessons from the Food Industry

By Professor Ganna Pogrebna (Professor of Economics, University of Birmingham) Ian Noble (Senior Research, Development and Quality Director, Mondelez International) Rimi Obra-Ratwatte (Principal Scientist, Global Nutrition, Mondelez International) The year 2017 marks a new chapter in the development of the UK Industrial Strategy, which will address a number of local challenges such as Brexit and growing political … Continue reading “How Consumer Behaviour Is Driving Innovation in the UK Food Sector: Five Lessons from the Food Industry”

The Industrial Strategy, responsible business and embedding new energy solutions for Clean Growth

“There is a growing consensus that our use and abuse of energy must change. Resolving runaway climate change predictions and encouraging clean growth for all is the most urgent challenge for our generation.” By Professor Ian Thomson, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business and Marc Stone, Energy Systems Catapult Energy, and its clean and sustainable … Continue reading “The Industrial Strategy, responsible business and embedding new energy solutions for Clean Growth”

Driving Innovation in the UK Space Sector

“…at the moment the commercialisation of leading research from UK universities is lagging behind the opportunities for its exploitation.” By Chloe Billing, Research Fellow at the City Region Economic and Development Institute (City REDI) and Dr Simon Bennett, Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology’s Business Director, which is based at the University of Birmingham The space … Continue reading “Driving Innovation in the UK Space Sector”