EUniWell Policy Commission: Young People and the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Paul Vallance discusses his work with EUniWell and the policy commission he was involved in looking at the education, employment, and mental health of young people across Europe. Since 2020, the University of Birmingham has been a member of EUniWell, an EU-funded alliance of 11 universities across Europe that work together to support the well-being … Continue reading “EUniWell Policy Commission: Young People and the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic”

From Health Crisis to an Innovation-led Recovery: What Role for Universities?

On 2nd February, City-REDI held its first hybrid seminar with Tomas Ulrichsen, Director of the Policy Evidence Unit for University Commercialisation and Innovation (UCI) at the University of Cambridge. You can watch the video from the event below. Health Crisis to an Innovation-Led Recovery This seminar introduces the Research England-funded Policy Evidence Unit for University … Continue reading “From Health Crisis to an Innovation-led Recovery: What Role for Universities?”

Talent, Diversity and Inclusivity

Dr Abigail Taylor and Professor Anne Green delve into how talent, diversity, and inclusion issues have been brought to the fore during the Pandemic. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham’s and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of … Continue reading “Talent, Diversity and Inclusivity”

The ‘2020 Shock’ on the Midlands Automotive Sector

Matt Lyons and Raquel Ortega-Argiles provide an analysis of the economic impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on the automotive sector in the Midlands during 2020. View our Midlands Engine Observatory project page The automotive industry remains an integral part of the national economy. The automotive industry is one of the UK’s major employers, supporting over … Continue reading “The ‘2020 Shock’ on the Midlands Automotive Sector”

Brexit and COVID-19 in the Midlands

Will Rossiter, Associate Professor of Regional Policy & Development at Nottingham Trent University, reflects on the impact of Brexit and the pandemic in the Midlands over the last two years. Reflecting on Brexit and the pandemic A year-on from the end of the transition period covering the UK’s exit from the EU and roughly two … Continue reading “Brexit and COVID-19 in the Midlands”

The Impact of Brexit and COVID–19 on International Trade In Our Region

Mandy Haque looks at how Brexit and Covid-19 have impacted international trade in the West Midlands and the challenges that lay ahead.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. … Continue reading “The Impact of Brexit and COVID–19 on International Trade In Our Region”

Tackling Covid-19 in Birmingham

Dr Justin Varney discusses how community engagement, partnership working and communication allowed Birmingham to tackle the challenges thrown up by Covid-19.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Tackling Covid-19 in Birmingham”

Covid-19 and Business: Has Government Support Worked?

Alice Pugh looks at the impact of lockdown on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), what support they’ve received and how they have fared compared to their larger counterparts. Covid-19 has created significant shocks throughout the business base. In the first wave, 47% of all UK industries reported that their turnover had been lower than normal … Continue reading “Covid-19 and Business: Has Government Support Worked?”

COVID-19 Business Support Grants in England: Analysing and Evaluating Successes of Government Policy

Hannes Read looks at the intentions and outcomes of the Small Business, Retail Hospitality & Leisure, and Discretionary Grant Funds in England from March 2020 to September 2020.  The UK government response to support businesses in England following the coronavirus pandemic included the £11.7bn Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF), Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grant Fund … Continue reading “COVID-19 Business Support Grants in England: Analysing and Evaluating Successes of Government Policy”

Accelerator Programmes and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Juliane Schwarz presents the findings from a study examining the effects of COVID-19 and nationwide lockdowns on an accelerator programme based in London, and how the move to online provision has impacted their work.  Accelerators are start-up programmes that bring entrepreneurs together, face-to-face, for intensive interaction with experts and other entrepreneurs. As cities in … Continue reading “Accelerator Programmes and the COVID-19 Pandemic”