Liam Smyth, LPIP Hub Place Fellow, discusses his recent briefing paper on how the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill could be triangulated with a place-based cultural development context to herald in a watershed moment for community-owned culture and heritage in England. … Continue reading “Community Empowerment and Living Heritage in 2026: A Watershed Moment for Community-Owned Culture and Heritage in England?”
Author: Guest
Valuing What Matters: From Tick-Box to Stewardship – Reclaiming Social Value as a Driver of Trust, Equity, and Lasting Change
Mark Swift, LPIP Hub Place Fellow, argues that social value in public spending must move beyond compliance and tick-box exercises to a stewardship approach that embeds collaboration, citizen co-creation, and mission-driven investment to tackle inequalities and build resilient communities. When the Public Services (Social Value) Act 20121 was introduced in England and Wales, it was … Continue reading “Valuing What Matters: From Tick-Box to Stewardship – Reclaiming Social Value as a Driver of Trust, Equity, and Lasting Change”
Data, Housing, Culture, Vibes: What I’m bringing to the LPIP Hub
Joseph Owen, Research Fellow from the University of Southampton, introduces the work he has planned during his place fellowship for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub. View other introductory blogs from our Place Fellows. Hello! I’m Joseph Owen, a research fellow at the University of Southampton. I’m a literary scholar by training and temperament, but … Continue reading “Data, Housing, Culture, Vibes: What I’m bringing to the LPIP Hub”
Meet Kevin Fenning – Director, Evidence First, and LPIP Hub Fellow
About Me I am an economic and policy consultant who has spent the past 20 years working with local and national government, universities, colleges, and major private sector investment and infrastructure firms across the country. An economist by training, my work applies economic thinking to a wide range of public policy issues that affect places … Continue reading “Meet Kevin Fenning – Director, Evidence First, and LPIP Hub Fellow”
Breaking the ‘Pretty Poverty’ Myth in Cornwall: Why Rural Deprivation Remains Hidden from Policy
Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope explores how Cornwall’s scenic beauty masks deep-rooted deprivation that the government measurement, the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019, systematically underestimates. This blog discusses the findings of the Plymouth Marjon University, The Pretty Poverty Report: Cornwall Rurality Matters. The Problem of ‘Pretty Poverty’ Deprivation in Cornwall is not immediately evident, hidden behind … Continue reading “Breaking the ‘Pretty Poverty’ Myth in Cornwall: Why Rural Deprivation Remains Hidden from Policy”
Lessons for a Place-Based Green Industrial Policy in the UK
Ed Atkins makes the case for new climate policies that boost local and regional economies. Ed is a Place Fellow at the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub. This blog introduces the work he will be undertaking for the LPIP Hub. The UK government’s legal obligation to reach net zero by 2050 necessitates wholesale action. … Continue reading “Lessons for a Place-Based Green Industrial Policy in the UK”
Neighbouring Data: Three Reports on the Data Observatory
And Towns Research Fellow, Joseph Owen, outlines the work from the Neighbouring Data research project. This blog was first published on the And Towns website. Across three reports, Neighbouring Data has drawn together, animated, and analysed place-based data on pride, culture, heritage, health, and wellbeing. By analysing different types of quantitative, qualitative and creative data collected from … Continue reading “Neighbouring Data: Three Reports on the Data Observatory”
Bridging Research and Real-World Impact: My Fellowship with LPIP Hub
Earlier this year, the LPIP Hub celebrated the appointment of its Place Fellows. In a series of blogs, the Place Fellows will introduce themselves and the work they have planned for the LPIP Hub. First up, Sophie Cloutterbuck, Director of London Engagement and the London Met Lab at London Metropolitan University. I’m excited to introduce … Continue reading “Bridging Research and Real-World Impact: My Fellowship with LPIP Hub”
Making Sense of Just Transition in City and Regional Policy-Making
Will Eadson explores how policymakers in South Yorkshire interpret and implement the concept of a just transition—the idea that the shift to a low-carbon economy must be fair and inclusive. Drawing on research using Q-methodology, the study reveals how different stakeholders conceptualise justice, change, and transformation. Cities around the world are declaring climate emergencies and pledging … Continue reading “Making Sense of Just Transition in City and Regional Policy-Making”
Communicating Cymru Wledig: A Summer of Engagement
Whilst summer may traditionally be the time when activities may ease slightly within Higher Education, this was certainly not the case for Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales, with several policy and engagement events held across Wales. The highlight of July’s calendar is the extremely popular Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Builth Wells, which draws together … Continue reading “Communicating Cymru Wledig: A Summer of Engagement”