Unleashing the Regional Innovation Potential of Universities

In a series of blogs, Simon Collinson, Fumi Kitagawa and Tomas Ulrichsen examine the role of universities in regional development. The blogs are co-authored by the Policy Evidence Unit for University Commercialisation and Innovation (UCI) at the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) and the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI at City-REDI), … Continue reading “Unleashing the Regional Innovation Potential of Universities”

How will Labour Deliver Innovation led Growth? Lesson Learnt from the Innovation Accelerator Pilots

On 9th October, City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham hosted a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on how to accelerate placed-based growth and innovation. Rebecca Riley and Steve Barwick reflect on the key points discussed at the fringe event. The event was chaired by Matt Western MP, Shadow Minister for Higher Education and … Continue reading “How will Labour Deliver Innovation led Growth? Lesson Learnt from the Innovation Accelerator Pilots”

Accelerating Place – Based Growth through Innovation: Perspectives from the Conservative Party Conference

On 2nd October, City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham and Policy @ Manchester co-hosted a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference on how to accelerate placed-based growth and innovation. Steve Barwick and Fumi Kitagawa reflect on the lessons learnt at the event held in Manchester. The event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief … Continue reading “Accelerating Place – Based Growth through Innovation: Perspectives from the Conservative Party Conference”

Innovation Policy: The Role of Universities, Priority Sectors and Micro-enterprises

Juliane Schwarz discusses the potential impacts of prioritising certain sectors over others and how universities can play a role in active industrial policy. Juliane also looks at the role of small and micro businesses in our economy and how they can be better supported. In her letter to the Financial Times, the Vice-Provost of Research … Continue reading “Innovation Policy: The Role of Universities, Priority Sectors and Micro-enterprises”

The West Midlands as a Regional Test bed for Innovation Policy and Support

George Bramley summarises the main findings of a new WMREDI report ‘Early Assessment of the West Midlands Innovation Programme’ whilst Dr Jamie Elliot reflects on how the findings have contributed to shaping provision going forward.  Programmes to support innovation have tended to be designed centrally focusing on specific aspects of the research, development, and innovation … Continue reading “The West Midlands as a Regional Test bed for Innovation Policy and Support”

Boosting and Measuring Regional Innovation, Adoption, and Pan-University Partnerships

On 28th June, WMREDI held a hybrid seminar with Dr Helen Turner and Tyler Rickard to discuss innovation policy and pan-university innovation partnerships. This seminar gave an overview of the big challenges facing innovation policy: measuring and boosting the adoption and diffusion of innovations. Tyler Rickard outlined how innovation policies are adopted and used to … Continue reading “Boosting and Measuring Regional Innovation, Adoption, and Pan-University Partnerships”

New paper: The Impact of University STEM Assets – A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence

This literature review from the West Midlands Regional Development Institute (WMREDI), looks at the effect of university Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) assets on regional economies and innovation ecosystems. Innovation is good for growth and significant for regional development. The innovation process consists of multiple interlinked steps – innovative products and processes must make … Continue reading “New paper: The Impact of University STEM Assets – A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence”

How Can National and Local Skills Policies Encourage Collaboration Between Universities, Colleges and Employers To Drive Productivity, Innovation and Growth?

In our latest podcast, Chris Millward, Professor of Practice in Education Policy at the School of Education, University of Birmingham talks to Peter Creticos, President and Executive Director, at the Institute for Work and the Economy in Chicago and Ewart Keep, Professor of Education, Training and Skills at the University of Oxford, about skills policy … Continue reading “How Can National and Local Skills Policies Encourage Collaboration Between Universities, Colleges and Employers To Drive Productivity, Innovation and Growth?”

The Nexus of Innovation

Simon Collinson, Fengjie Pan and Pei-Yu Yuan examine Research and Development (R&D) funding in the UK. Does it create equal regional growth across the country? This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater … Continue reading “The Nexus of Innovation”

Autumn Statement 2022: Implications for Research, Development and Innovation

Kelvin Humphreys looks at the impact of the Autumn Statement on Research, Development and Innovation in the UK. Last week’s Autumn Statement set the scene for £30bn in spending cuts and £25bn in tax rises to plug a £55bn hole in the public finances by 2027/28. All departments except for health and social care and … Continue reading “Autumn Statement 2022: Implications for Research, Development and Innovation”