The Evolving Art of Place Leadership

In this blog, Sam Markey emphasises the transformative power of collaborative governance, strategic public procurement, and place-based impact investment in driving local renewal and prosperity amidst economic and social challenges. We live in an era of profound change. The erosion of the post-war order, coupled with economic upheaval and ongoing pressure on public finances, presents … Continue reading “The Evolving Art of Place Leadership”

The Role of Felt Experiences in Advancing People-Centred, Place-Based Approaches

We are delighted to share the latest report from the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Place Programme with our colleagues at the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub. The report engages with one of the key themes for the LPIPs: felt experiences and pride in place and puts them into the context of how we … Continue reading “The Role of Felt Experiences in Advancing People-Centred, Place-Based Approaches”

Students Take on Sustainability Challenge with Data at University of Sheffield Hackathon

The Yorkshire & Humber Office for Data Analytics (YHODA) – one of the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership’s (YPIP) work packages focused on tackling regional data challenges – recently played a role in the Data and Design Hackathon 2025, hosted at the University of Sheffield and organised by a multidisciplinary team based at the Faculty of … Continue reading “Students Take on Sustainability Challenge with Data at University of Sheffield Hackathon”

What Is Innovation in Policy?

Innovation in policy is more than a buzzword—it’s the engine that drives transformative change in the face of complex challenges. As societies grapple with economic disparities, environmental crises, and evolving community needs, traditional approaches to policymaking often fall short. Innovation offers a pathway to reimagine how policies are designed and implemented, making them more adaptive, … Continue reading “What Is Innovation in Policy?”

Placecast podcast – Episode One – Nicola Headlam in discussion with Rebecca RIley and Abigail Taylor

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership … Continue reading “Placecast podcast – Episode One – Nicola Headlam in discussion with Rebecca RIley and Abigail Taylor”

Research in Action – Highlighting Issues Affecting Rural Wales at Westminster

Rhian Curtis, Engagement Officer at the Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales writes about her organisation’s recent efforts highlighting the challenge of ‘lost youth’ in rural Wales to MPs in Westminster. Aberystwyth University’s Professor Michael Woods shared insightful research during a series of meetings in January at Westminster regarding one of the most challenging issues affecting rural communities in … Continue reading “Research in Action – Highlighting Issues Affecting Rural Wales at Westminster”

Making The Best Use of the Green Book at Local and Regional Level

Recently, Professor Rebecca Riley (Bec) delivered a seminar on improving the use of the Green Book at the local level to better inform policy and investment decision-making. Bec is the Chair of the Green Book Network Steering Group.  She is also Co-Director of the City Region Economic Development Institute, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement at … Continue reading “Making The Best Use of the Green Book at Local and Regional Level”

Data in Place: What Makes a Place Unique and How Can We Use Data to Measure It?

Why does place matter? What are the underlying mechanisms that create spatial variations in the efficiency of economic and social interactions and how we can include them in the analysis? Maryna Ramcharan, data lead for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub, discusses what makes a place unique and how data can be used to reflect … Continue reading “Data in Place: What Makes a Place Unique and How Can We Use Data to Measure It?”

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Anchor Networks (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Conrad Parke, Birmingham Anchor Network Co-ordinator, shares his responses to the questions he is most frequently asked about anchor networks. This article originally appeared in the Municipal Journal and then on the CLES website in September 2024. CLES are part of the Partnership Delivery Team for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub. As the challenges facing the UK deepen and … Continue reading “5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Anchor Networks (But Were Afraid to Ask)”

What Good Devolution Looks Like

Helen Power and Tom Lloyd Goodwin from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) discuss the need for the UK government to fundamentally rethink how English devolution works. This article originally appeared in the Local Government Chronicle and then on the CLES website in June 2024. CLES are part of the Partnership Delivery Team for the … Continue reading “What Good Devolution Looks Like”