How Does the Innovation Performance of the West Midlands Rank on the National and International Stage?

Kelvin Humphreys and colleagues use World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) annual Global Innovation Index to assess how innovative the West Midlands is. 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. Summary This analysis compares the innovation performance of … Continue reading “How Does the Innovation Performance of the West Midlands Rank on the National and International Stage?”

REDI-Updates 3: The Challenge of Implementing, Understanding and Measuring “Levelling Up”

Welcome to REDI-Updates – providing expert data insights and clear policy guidance. 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. In this blog, Professor Simon Collinson and Ben Brittain outline what’s in the latest edition of REDI … Continue reading “REDI-Updates 3: The Challenge of Implementing, Understanding and Measuring “Levelling Up””

Smart Specialisation and the Diversification of Related Sectors: The Context of Developing a West Midlands Space Cluster

Dr Chloe Billing and Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés discuss smart specialisation and regional diversification processes, and how the West Midlands can use its unique strengths to secure future regional diversification pathways into the space sector. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced … Continue reading “Smart Specialisation and the Diversification of Related Sectors: The Context of Developing a West Midlands Space Cluster”

Alone and Lonely. The Economic Consequences of Solitude at a Regional Level in Europe

On 19th January 2022, City-REDI held a seminar featuring Professor Andres Rodriguez-Pose from the London School of Economics: Alone and Lonely. The Economic Consequences of Solitude at a Regional Level in Europe The paper analyses the aggregate subnational economic consequences of the two dimensions of solitude, being alone living and feeling lonely, in Europe. The … Continue reading “Alone and Lonely. The Economic Consequences of Solitude at a Regional Level in Europe”

Meet Paul Vallance, City-REDI / WMREDI’s New Research Fellow

I joined City-REDI in September 2021 as a Research Fellow on the EUniWell (European University for Well-being) project. EUniWell is led by a network of seven European Universities – University of Birmingham (UK), the University of Cologne (Germany), the University of Florence (Italy), the University of Nantes (France), Leiden University (the Netherlands), Linnaeus University (Sweden), … Continue reading “Meet Paul Vallance, City-REDI / WMREDI’s New Research Fellow”

How Can a Space Cluster Help the West Midlands to Diversify?

Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles explains how the development of a space cluster in the West Midlands could allow the region to develop new varieties of technologies by following diversified specialisation processes.  This blog has been produced to provide insight into a City-REDI / WMREDI project looking at the development of a Space Cluster in the West … Continue reading “How Can a Space Cluster Help the West Midlands to Diversify?”

The Principles of Smart Specialisation and Space Cluster Development

Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles outlines the principles of Smart Specialisation and Cluster Development and how it can work within the context of developing a West Midlands Space Cluster. This blog has been produced to provide insight into a City-REDI / WMREDI project looking at the development of a Space Cluster in the West Midlands. The project … Continue reading “The Principles of Smart Specialisation and Space Cluster Development”

How Can the Space Sector Drive Growth and Productivity in the West Midlands?

Professor Simon Collinson and Julia Goldsworthy discuss the development of a West Midlands Space Cluster and what it might mean for the region and the wider UK economy. This blog has been produced to provide insight into a City-REDI / WMREDI project looking at the development of a Space Cluster in the West Midlands. The … Continue reading “How Can the Space Sector Drive Growth and Productivity in the West Midlands?”

The Changing Role of Universities During the COVID Crisis

On the 2nd of June 2021, City-REDI held an external seminar featuring Dr Rhiannon Pugh from Lund University. The Changing Role of Universities During the COVID Crisis Abstract: I am currently undertaking qualitative research with various university staff about how the university’s role in regional development is changing in light of the Covid crisis. In … Continue reading “The Changing Role of Universities During the COVID Crisis”

The Contribution of Universities to Inclusive Regional Growth

On the 18th – 20th of May, the Civic Universities Network will be holding its inaugural annual conference. Professor Simon Collinson will be hosting a conference panel session at the event looking at the contribution of universities to inclusive growth. In this blog, Professor Collinson outlines some of the challenges of evaluating and enhancing this … Continue reading “The Contribution of Universities to Inclusive Regional Growth”