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”
Tag: Birmingham
Ten Year’s of City-REDI – Liam O’Farrell
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 Year’s of City-REDI – Liam O’Farrell”
Can West Midlanders Afford to Live Solo? A Local Take on the Carrie Bradshaw Index
In September 2025, The Economist updated the Carrie Bradshaw Index, a playful yet insightful measure of housing affordability for solo renters across 100 U.S. cities. Named after the iconic character from Sex and the City, the index compares median incomes to the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment, essentially asking: where can you afford to … Continue reading “Can West Midlanders Afford to Live Solo? A Local Take on the Carrie Bradshaw Index”
Celebrating 10 Years of City-REDI: A Call to Share, Reflect, and Inspire
October 2025 marks a significant milestone for City-REDI – our 10th anniversary! Professor Rebecca Riley and Professor Anne Green, Co-Directors of City-REDI reflect on the past decade and call for your memories. Over the past decade we have grown from a bold idea into a thriving research institute, dedicated to understanding and shaping inclusive, sustainable … Continue reading “Celebrating 10 Years of City-REDI: A Call to Share, Reflect, and Inspire”
Birmingham’s Economic Miracle – How can everyone benefit?
I recently spoke at the Lunar Society, attempting to discuss this topic, an “expert view”. In looking at addressing these questions I thought about a more provocation approach, but first breaking down the topics in the question: Has Birmingham experienced an economic Miracle? Do people benefit? How can they benefit? Watching the recent news, it … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Economic Miracle – How can everyone benefit?”
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”
Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces
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’s … Continue reading “Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces”
Economic Geographies of the West Midlands – Current Features and Future Implications
In December 2024 the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) published a study on Economic Geographies of the West Midlands co-authored by SQW, City-REDI and Automatic Knowledge. The purpose of the report was to expand and deepen understanding of the economic geographies of the West Midlands, with a particular focus on the interdependencies and connections between … Continue reading “Economic Geographies of the West Midlands – Current Features and Future Implications”
The Rise in Economic Inactivity Due to Long-Term Health Issues
Dr Justin Varney, Director of Public Health, Birmingham City Council discusses how retention of staff is key to the health and wealth of Birmingham and the wider region, as well as business. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review, published in September 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University … Continue reading “The Rise in Economic Inactivity Due to Long-Term Health Issues”
The Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis and The Issue of Deprivation in Birmingham
Simone Connolly, CEO, FareShare Midlands discusses the impact of the cost of living crisis in Birmingham, with large increases in the numbers of people turning to them for help. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review, published in September 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and … Continue reading “The Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis and The Issue of Deprivation in Birmingham”