The Importance of Good R&D Data and Current Challenges

Kelvin Humphreys and Kostas Kollydas discuss why detailed R&D is essential and examine the challenges in current data collection and availability, particularly at the sub-national level. The UK government’s 2017 Industrial Strategy committed to spending 2.4% of GDP on Research and Development (R&D) by 2027. Following the Levelling up White Paper, the government has embarked … Continue reading “The Importance of Good R&D Data and Current Challenges”

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”

The Impacts of Government R&D Funding in the UK: Key Questions for Improving Investment Allocations

Professor Simon Collinson was recently quoted in a House of Commons briefing on Research and Development (R&D) Funding policy. Here, he provides further detail on the issues involved with using Government R&D investments as a tool to support balanced economic growth.   Promoting R&D and innovation The UKRI, as the main UK funding agency responsible for promoting … Continue reading “The Impacts of Government R&D Funding in the UK: Key Questions for Improving Investment Allocations”

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”

The Effect of R&D Co-Location on Innovative Activities in Great Britain

On the 27th of April, City-REDI held a webinar featuring Dr John Moffat from Durham University Business School: The Effect of R&D Co-Location on Innovative Activities in Great Britain Using UK Innovation Survey and the data from the various databases of the UK Office for National Statistics from 2004 – 2018, Dr John Moffat and … Continue reading “The Effect of R&D Co-Location on Innovative Activities in Great Britain”

UK Regional Innovation Pilots ‘Should Shun Silicon Valley Myth’

In this article, John Morgan in the Times Higher Education Supplement, discusses the government’s plans to create ‘innovation accelerators’ in Glasgow, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. City-REDI / WMREDI’s Professor Simon Collison comments on the plans for the West Midlands. Plans to create three UK “innovation accelerators” are seen as giving city regions and … Continue reading “UK Regional Innovation Pilots ‘Should Shun Silicon Valley Myth’”

Midlands Engine Observatory Academic Insights: Challenges and Opportunities for the Midlands Regional Economy

In partnership with the Midlands Engine, City-REDI / WMREDI staff have compiled several think pieces on key emerging trends on regional economic data points. View our Midlands Engine Observatory project page Flexible Working Patterns Firstly, Dr Abigail Taylor looks at flexible working patterns. Greater demand for flexible and hybrid working practices has emerged following the … Continue reading “Midlands Engine Observatory Academic Insights: Challenges and Opportunities for the Midlands Regional Economy”

Levelling Up Through Innovation

On 25th November 2021, Professor Simon Collinson took part in a House of Commons Select Committee to explore the role of technology, research and innovation in the UK’s recovery from Covid-19. In this blog, Simon discusses some of the key points to come out of the committee.  What are the opportunities and challenges for R&D … Continue reading “Levelling Up Through Innovation”

Science, Universities and Rebalancing the UK Economy: A Provocation   

Professor John Goddard suggests how targeted R&D spending in universities could help rebalance the UK economy regionally.  R&D Spending and the ‘levelling up’ agenda The Conservative Party’s election manifesto pledged to spend £22bn per annum on research by 2024-25. Many argued that this could only be justified if the research system moves towards supporting the … Continue reading “Science, Universities and Rebalancing the UK Economy: A Provocation   “