Megatrends in the West Midlands – Future Business District Podcast

What are megatrends? Megatrends are major movements, patterns or trends that have a transformative impact on the economy, business, society, cultures and personal lives. In a series of podcasts, City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham examines the impacts of megatrends in the West Midlands, by speaking to a series of experts from the region. In … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands – Future Business District Podcast”

City-REDI / WMREDI Round Up – October 2022

Events – presenting work / speaking engagements City-REDI / WMREDI held two fringe events during the party conference season. Professor Adam Tickell hosted the second event held at The Exchange. On 19th October, City-REDI / WMREDI hosted the Civic Network Advisory Group Dinner at The Exchange. On 20th October, City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers … Continue reading “City-REDI / WMREDI Round Up – October 2022”

Megatrends in the West Midlands: The ‘New Normal’ Must Embrace ‘Building Back Better’

Johannes Read delves into how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people and businesses work in the city centre as the UK emerges from the crisis. This article is part of a larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are having a transformative … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: The ‘New Normal’ Must Embrace ‘Building Back Better’”

Addressing the Climate Emergency in Birmingham: Using the Civic Index to Build University-Civic Collaborations

Hannes Read discusses how Universities and regional authorities can use the Civic Index to improve collaboration between these partners and help drive regional economic development. The Civic Index: A Tool Linking Economy, Environment, Institutions, and Place Collaboration between higher education and local/regional authorities is proven to be an important part of local and regional economic … Continue reading “Addressing the Climate Emergency in Birmingham: Using the Civic Index to Build University-Civic Collaborations”

City-REDI / WMREDI Monthly Update – August 2022

Events – presenting work/speaking engagements On 28th July, Simon Collinson attended the Commonwealth Business Forum at the start of CWG22, representing the University as a 1st tier sponsor of the Games, meeting with Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi at the University of Birmingham stand. On 5th August, Simon Collinson chaired a roundtable on digital skills, with UoB … Continue reading “City-REDI / WMREDI Monthly Update – August 2022”

Where is “The Level” in “Levelling Up”?

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates aims to get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring levelling up Josh Swan, Rebecca Riley and Hannes Read discuss the need for places to … Continue reading “Where is “The Level” in “Levelling Up”?”

City-REDI / WMREDI Monthly Update – July 2022

Events – presenting work/speaking engagements On 30th June City -REDI hosted the second by invitation national Forum on Universities and Levelling Up. The Forum was chaired by Lord ( Bob) Kerslake. Participants  included VCs/PVCs, and other university leaders, a charitable  foundation, local and central government officials, a senior private sector consultant,  an OECD representative and … Continue reading “City-REDI / WMREDI Monthly Update – July 2022”

City-REDI / WMREDI Monthly Update – June 2022

Events – presenting work/speaking engagements On 7th June, Carolin Ioramashvili presented a paper “Building Bridges and Providing Direction: The Role of STEM Assets in Innovation Ecosystems” (with Simon Collinson, Magda Cepeda Zorrilla, Annum Rafique and Pei-Yu Yuan) at the Global Conference for Economic Geography in Dublin, in a special session on “Understanding the Connection between … Continue reading “City-REDI / WMREDI Monthly Update – June 2022”

Regional Systems of Innovation – How Does the West Midlands Compare With its European Counterparts?

Dr Carolin Ioramashvili and Professor Simon Collinson compare levels of innovation in regions around Europe with the West Midlands to show policymakers where they can focus investment and interventions. This is part of a series of blogs looking at Innovation in the West Midlands. Find out more about our work on regional innovation systems. Innovation … Continue reading “Regional Systems of Innovation – How Does the West Midlands Compare With its European Counterparts?”