In 1890 an American magazine praised Birmingham as ‘above else a business city, run by businessmen on business principles,’ this admiring review was a result of Birmingham’s international reputation as a commercial city of industry, services and – following Joseph Chamberlain’s reforms – of civic dignity. Joseph Chamberlain’s successful reforms were based crucially on his … Continue reading “Meet Ben Brittain – Policy and Data Analyst, City-REDI”
Category: City-REDI
West Midlands Economic Monitor: June 2019
June’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. This month’s monitor looks at hydrogen trains, the UK 2070 Commission, homelessness and fuel poverty, modular homes, and as always features analysis of the latest data about the region’s economic performance. … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: June 2019”
West Midlands Economic Monitor: May 2019
May’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for download. This month’s installment looks at the debate around HS2, how much money you need to earn to be happy, inequality in the region, ongoing protests against LGBT-inclusive education, a range of regeneration projects planned for Birmingham, and the latest statistics around employment, … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: May 2019”
Enhancing the Civic Role of UK Universities
Two key events in February brought into focus the contribution made by universities to their city-regions. They also highlighted how much more universities could do and how important it was to enhance this contribution in light of current political and public sentiment towards universities in the UK. One was the launch of the report by … Continue reading “Enhancing the Civic Role of UK Universities”
Parliamentary ‘Constipation’: Toilet Paper, Brexit Apocalypse and the Kalends or Ides of April
I had a dream last night. I awoke on the Kalends or perhaps the Ides of April to a Brexit Apocalypse. The UK Government had failed to persuade Parliament to approve the withdrawal deal and the UK had left the EU without the benefits of a negotiated and agreed deal. There is much confusion here … Continue reading “Parliamentary ‘Constipation’: Toilet Paper, Brexit Apocalypse and the Kalends or Ides of April”
The March edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available
This month’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for download. We look at the changes in regional productivity, employment, business activity and house prices in the region, as well as projects that have been announced in rail, 5G internet, electric cars and adult education in the West Midlands. You can get … Continue reading “The March edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available”
Meet Massimiliano Nuccio, Research Fellow at City-REDI
I enthusiastically accepted to join City REDI at the University of Birmingham because I believe it is a unique academic research centre in its scope and approach. Since starting at City-REDI have found a stimulating working environment, passionate people and very skilled colleagues. Although my background is in economics and business, my career has not … Continue reading “Meet Massimiliano Nuccio, Research Fellow at City-REDI”
Pi is just a number…
Right? Maybe not. Not many numbers have their own symbol (π), appear on cool t-shirts, are trademarked or have their own movie (this one not this one) and their own day. OK there is “e-day” for Euler’s constant but hey, March 14 is Albert Einstein’s (physicist), Johan Strauss’ (composer of the Radetzky March and other … Continue reading “Pi is just a number…”
Meet Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla, Research Fellow at City-REDI
I joined City-REDI, University of Birmingham as Research Fellow in February 2019. I studied my a BSc (Hons) in International Relations (2007-2011) in the National Autonomous University of Mexico. My dissertation was aimed to explore the International experience of the use of the bicycle to reduce CO2 emissions and how developing countries could access to … Continue reading “Meet Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla, Research Fellow at City-REDI”
Meet Dr Sara Hassan, Research Fellow at City-REDI
I recently joined City REDI and I am thrilled to be working with such a dynamic multidisciplinary team with a wide range of expertise both in policy and practice. I started working as a research fellow in the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS) at the University of Birmingham in May 2017 on the … Continue reading “Meet Dr Sara Hassan, Research Fellow at City-REDI”