R&D Investment in Our City-Region: Local Potential for Future Inclusive Growth

Professor Simon Collinson discusses a recent study by City-REDI and the West Midland Combined Authority mapping the inflows of various kinds of public R&D investment into the region.  R&D and the West Midlands The West Midlands attracts a significant amount of private sector R&D investment, about £398 per capita according to one study (Jones and … Continue reading “R&D Investment in Our City-Region: Local Potential for Future Inclusive Growth”

The Contribution of Universities to Inclusive Regional Growth

On the 18th – 20th of May, the Civic Universities Network will be holding its inaugural annual conference. Professor Simon Collinson will be hosting a conference panel session at the event looking at the contribution of universities to inclusive growth. In this blog, Professor Collinson outlines some of the challenges of evaluating and enhancing this … Continue reading “The Contribution of Universities to Inclusive Regional Growth”

Regional Resilience: The Co-dependence of Business and Regions in Recovery

This article was written by Professor Simon Collinson for the National Centre for Universities and Business’ seventh annual assessment of the health of collaborative partnerships – The State of the Relationship Report 2020.  The article reflects on regional specialisms, the unequal impact of the disruptions of 2020 and the value of analysis of regional economies. … Continue reading “Regional Resilience: The Co-dependence of Business and Regions in Recovery”

Enabling Local R&D Systems to Drive Growth

This is part two of a blog by Professor Simon Collinson on R&D, innovation and regional growth, following an academic forum hosted by WM REDI and UKRI that discussed the evidence that should inform the government’s place R&D strategy. It was first published on the UKRI website. Part one is available here. R&D investment in … Continue reading “Enabling Local R&D Systems to Drive Growth”

From Great R&D to Better Outcomes for the UK

This is part one of a two-part blog by Professor Simon Collinson on R&D, innovation and regional growth, following an academic forum hosted by WM-REDI and UKRI that discussed the evidence that should inform the government’s place R&D strategy. It was first published on the UKRI website. A successful national R&D system is, by definition … Continue reading “From Great R&D to Better Outcomes for the UK”

Civic Universities and Inclusive Local Economic Recovery: How Can Universities Do Even More to Support Regions in Crisis?

On the 30th September, City-REDI / WM REDI and the Civic University Network held an event called “Civic Universities and Inclusive Local Economic Recovery“. The event began with a discussion between Lord Robert Kerslake (Chair of the Civic University Commission) Lord David Willetts (President – Resolution Foundation) and Sarah Davidson (CEO – Carnegie UK Trust). … Continue reading “Civic Universities and Inclusive Local Economic Recovery: How Can Universities Do Even More to Support Regions in Crisis?”

Supporting Regional Resilience Through the Pandemic and Beyond

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates is a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WM REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss some of the key topics when trying to understand the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic. In this article, Professor Simon Collinson discusses the role … Continue reading “Supporting Regional Resilience Through the Pandemic and Beyond”

REDI Updates 1: Director’s Welcome – Regional Research Collaboration Will Be Crucial to Improve Our Economy and Society

Foreword – by Simon Collinson and Ben Brittain When we began writing this, our first edition of REDI-Updates, the COVID-19 pandemic was a small and distant threat. A local crisis limited to a single city-region in China. The world has changed dramatically since then. As we re-focus our research efforts and our analytics towards projects … Continue reading “REDI Updates 1: Director’s Welcome – Regional Research Collaboration Will Be Crucial to Improve Our Economy and Society”

The Importance of Connectivity: If HS2 and the Midlands Rail Hub Are Delivered the Whole Region Will Benefit

In the latest City-REDI West Midlands Economic Monitor we noted how Midlands Connect has submitted a £2 billion plan for a Midlands Rail Hub The proposal would see 24 extra passenger trains for East-West connectivity, including faster connectivity times for towns and cities across the Midlands, including Nottingham and Hereford. The plan would see Moor … Continue reading “The Importance of Connectivity: If HS2 and the Midlands Rail Hub Are Delivered the Whole Region Will Benefit”