Universities’ Role in Helping Regions Transition From Legacy Industries Into New Areas

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 “Universities’ Role in Helping Regions Transition From Legacy Industries Into New Areas”

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”

Enhancing University Contributions to Local Growth by Targeting High-Potential Firms and Industries

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 “Enhancing University Contributions to Local Growth by Targeting High-Potential Firms and Industries”

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”

The Role of Universities in the Growth and Skills Agenda

Tom Lewis from Univerisities UK reports on the recent University Group APPG on 29th November, where they discussed the role of Universities in the growth and skills agenda. The All-Party Parliamentary University Group (APPUG) acts as a key avenue of communication between parliamentarians and vice-chancellors of the UK’s universities, providing an opportunity to examine issues … Continue reading “The Role of Universities in the Growth and Skills Agenda”

Regional Clusters: Place Branding for the Co-Location of Firms

Professor Simon Collison discusses how city-regions need to build a straightforward narrative that captures why people and businesses would want to visit, live, work, invest and commit to that particular place. Place branding and local leadership is often focused on promoting inward investment around clusters of economic activity, which can contribute to regional economic growth … Continue reading “Regional Clusters: Place Branding for the Co-Location of Firms”

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””

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’”

STEM Assets in the West Midlands: Tyseley Energy Park

In this policy briefing, Robert Lynam, Chloe Billing and Simon Collinson look at the Tyseley Energy Park, University of Birmingham and explore the extent to which it is being leveraged to improve economic performance and social inequality in our region. The research represents the initial phase of a project which City-REDI/WMREDI are delivering on ‘Universities’ … Continue reading “STEM Assets in the West Midlands: Tyseley Energy Park”

Fewer Firms are Created in UK Regions Outside London and the South-East

Co-authored by Huanjia Ma and Simon Collinson, they have been discussing new firm creation in regions outside London and the South-East in the context of the government’s levelling up policy plans. The UK government’s recent levelling up plans promise large investments in infrastructure, R&D, skills and education, and the relocation of public sector employment, to … Continue reading “Fewer Firms are Created in UK Regions Outside London and the South-East”