Gerardo J. Arriaga-Garcia and Lee Gregory reflect on a decade of UK political manifesto audits by ASAP UK, revealing a persistent lack of ambition across parties to tackle poverty. Their analysis highlights declining commitments, especially under Labour’s 2024 government, and calls for a renewed focus on human flourishing in anti-poverty policy. In the run-up to … Continue reading “Small Print, Small Ambition: Poverty in the Party Playbooks”
Author: Guest blogger
Learning by Doing: My First Steps into Research and Policy at City-REDI
Emma Davies reflects on her time as a City-REDI Intern. As a first-year undergraduate student, joining City-REDI as an intern marked my first experience working within a professional research environment. It was an exciting opportunity to engage with experts and observe how research and evidence inform policy – an area that has always interested me … Continue reading “Learning by Doing: My First Steps into Research and Policy at City-REDI”
Bridging Gaps: Policy, Participation, and Mental Health in Birmingham.
PhD student, Henna Chumber shares insights from a City-REDI Social Value and Impact studentship, exploring youth engagement in Birmingham Promise. From the Classroom to Council Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of diving into the world of policy through a City-REDI’s Social Value and Impact studentship. As a PhD student in Psychology with … Continue reading “Bridging Gaps: Policy, Participation, and Mental Health in Birmingham.”
Ten Years of City-REDI – Delma Dwight
This year marks a major milestone for City-REDI as we celebrate a decade of research, impact, and collaboration. Over the past 10 years, we’ve grown from a bold idea into a leading centre for regional economic development, shaping policy and practice across the UK and beyond. To mark this anniversary, we’re launching a special blog … Continue reading “Ten Years of City-REDI – Delma Dwight”
The National Movement Around Measuring Civic Impact
Katrina Kelly from the University of Bath has been working with the National Civic Impact Accelerator, National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement and City-REDI about measuring and demonstrating civic activity. In this blog, Katrina shares her thoughts on the national movement around measuring civic impact and calls for civic professionals across higher education to share good practice, … Continue reading “The National Movement Around Measuring Civic Impact”
From Challenge to Change: How Social Impact is revitalising Ladywood’s economic viability
Ladywood, one of Birmingham’s most socioeconomically challenged wards, is undergoing a quiet transformation. This blog by Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore Business District (BID), explores the current economic state of Birmingham with a spotlight on Ladywood, highlighting how targeted social impact initiatives, especially those focused on youth, are creating new pathways to opportunity and prosperity. … Continue reading “From Challenge to Change: How Social Impact is revitalising Ladywood’s economic viability”
Meet Tom Burton, our New Senior Economic Analyst
I joined City-REDI at the end of 2024 from the West Midlands Combined Authority, where I was in the housing and regeneration policy team. I am an economic analyst and policy advisor with a background in built environment investment projects. My background I’ve worked in regional development since 2016, contributing to a mix of strategy … Continue reading “Meet Tom Burton, our New Senior Economic Analyst”
The Struggle for Devolution Goes On!
Professor Jonathan S. Davies evaluates the government’s agenda in light of the English Devolution White Paper. It has long been recognised that English governance is hopelessly over-centralised, with control over money and power hoarded in Westminster and Whitehall, with Towns and Cities not getting a look in. Promises from the centre to “let go” of … Continue reading “The Struggle for Devolution Goes On!”
Birmingham Office Market: Resilience, Sustainability, and Shifting Demand
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. David … Continue reading “Birmingham Office Market: Resilience, Sustainability, and Shifting Demand”
Birmingham’s Bright Future: Investment, Skills and Opportunity
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. Birmingham … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Bright Future: Investment, Skills and Opportunity”