Rebecca Riley introduces the Civic 6 Framework—a tool designed to help UK universities reflect on and strengthen their civic and policy engagement. It outlines six models of engagement, from regionally embedded institutes to national think tanks, offering a flexible structure for aligning institutional strategies with local and national priorities. The framework supports self-assessment, stakeholder consultation, and sector-wide collaboration, aiming to evolve with the changing landscape of civic university activity.
A Starting Point for Strategic Reflection
As universities across the UK deepen their role in addressing regional inequalities, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, there is a growing need to understand the institutional models that underpin this civic mission.
In 2024, a CAPE report examined four emerging models of regional academic-policy engagement. This report highlighted the complexity of local and regional policy ecosystems, the need to respond to multiple regional drivers, the issue of inadequate systems and processes and the general culture clash these models need to navigate.
Initial analysis from the LPIP Hub has taken this work and further developed it, focusing on the business model aspect of establishing these entities. This flagged further models and a deeper dive into the four identifies. Other examples included models where an organisation was created that had a national role but also worked locally, and the role of the knowledge broker model was utilised at a corporate level. This has led to the development of the Civic 6 Framework, which offers a starting point for exploring how universities engage with public policy, civic society, and place-based innovation.
This framework is intended to stimulate discussion, guide strategic reflection, and support future consultation among universities, funders, and policymakers. It recognises that institutional models are dynamic, shaped by local needs, funding landscapes, and evolving partnerships.
The Civic 6 Framework: Six Models of Engagement
The framework identifies six distinct models of civic and policy engagement:
- Civic-Embedded Regional Development Institutes
Deeply integrated with local governance and economic growth strategy.
Example: City-REDI (University of Birmingham) - Civic Engagement and Public Policy Institutes
Focused on co-producing policy with communities and public services.
Example: Heseltine Institute (University of Liverpool) - Networked Regional Policy Collaboratives
Multi-institutional partnerships coordinating regional academic-policy engagement.
Example: YPERN (Yorkshire) - National Performance Institutes
Research-intensive centres addressing national issues, which have research strands which may have local implications or local networks.
Example: The Productivity Institute (The University of Manchester) - Interdisciplinary Public Policy Think Tanks
University-based think tanks produce conceptual and applied research.
Example: Bennett Institute (University of Cambridge) - Translational Policy Communication Platforms
Initiatives translating academic research into accessible formats for policymakers, including the local level.
Example: Policy@Manchester
Each model has distinct strengths, limitations, and use cases. Many institutes operate across multiple models or evolve over time in response to changing priorities and partnerships.
Why This Matters
For universities, the framework provides a tool to benchmark civic activity, clarify institutional identity, and explore new pathways for engagement.
For funders, it supports more strategic investment by identifying which business models are best suited to specific policy challenges or regional contexts.
For policymakers, it offers insight into how academic institutions can contribute to place-based innovation and national priorities.
Next Steps: From Framework to Action
To move from typology to transformation, we will be looking to develop and test this further through the LPIP Hub and UPEN. We are looking at how we develop:
1. Institutional Self-Assessment
- Universities should map their existing civic and policy engagement activities against the Civic 6 models.
2. Stakeholder Consultation
- Engage internal and external stakeholders, including civic partners, funders, and policy makers, to test the relevance of the framework.
- Use workshops or roundtables to gather feedback on how well the models reflect lived experience and institutional practice.
- Assess the skills and expertise required to establish, grow and sustain these different business models.
- Explore the business cases developed to establish them and also maintain them into the future.
3. Model Refinement
- Refine the framework based on consultation outcomes.
- Consider hybrid or emerging models that may not fit neatly into the current six categories.
4. Strategic Planning
- Use the framework to inform institutional strategies, funding bids, and partnership development.
- Align civic engagement activities with broader university missions and regional priorities.
5. Sector-Wide Collaboration
- Share insights across institutions to build a community of practice.
- Collaborate with national platforms like UPEN, NCCPE, and the LPIP Hub to support coordination and capacity building.
A Living Framework for a Dynamic Landscape
The Civic 6 Framework is not a fixed classification; it is a living tool designed to evolve with the sector. It provides a shared language for understanding the diversity of civic university models and a foundation for more strategic, inclusive, and impactful engagement.
As universities continue to respond to complex societal challenges, this framework can help ensure that civic engagement is not only visible but also valued, resourced, and embedded in institutional strategy.
This blog was written by Rebecca Riley, Professor for Enterprise, Engagement and Impact, City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Director of the LPIP Hub.
Find out more about the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.