In this blog, Mark Swift argues that public sector transformation is no longer driven solely from within institutions. Increasingly, the most valuable insights are emerging from the spaces between systems, communities, and lived experience. This blog discusses the findings in Mark’s recent report – The Outside-In: The Role of Social Entrepreneurs in Public Sector Transformation. … Continue reading “Why Public Systems Need to Learn from the Outside-In”
Category: Innovation
UKRI’s Place Moment Has Arrived – And Universities Must Step Up
On 5 March 2026, at The Exchange, University of Birmingham, a room full of universities, funders and civic partners gathered for what felt like a quiet turning point. The discussions were billed as a “briefing”, but the tone was unmistakably strategic: UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) centre of gravity is shifting, and the future is … Continue reading “UKRI’s Place Moment Has Arrived – And Universities Must Step Up”
Dialling Up Democracy: Renewing Trust Through Civic Innovation
Mark Swift discusses how participatory governance and democratic innovation can help rebuild trust in public life. This article draws on a policy working paper exploring how democratic innovation can strengthen trust, participation and governance in the UK. The full paper examines these ideas in greater depth and outlines practical pathways for “dialling up democracy” in the … Continue reading “Dialling Up Democracy: Renewing Trust Through Civic Innovation”
From Glossaries to Ground Game: What “Innovation” Really Means for Places, and Why the LPIP Matters
Innovation isn’t a glossary term—it’s the practical work of turning ideas into value for people and places. In this blog, Gerardo J. Arriaga‑Garcia explores how the LPIP programme helps move innovation from theory to meaningful impact. If you work in policy, you’ve seen the glossaries: tidy lists of “innovation” terms presented as if they live … Continue reading “From Glossaries to Ground Game: What “Innovation” Really Means for Places, and Why the LPIP Matters”
Rebalancing Health Innovation for Health Equity: Put Communities at the Centre
Alongside high-tech advances, we need long-term, values-led innovation in community-powered health approaches to tackle health inequalities and ease pressure on services, writes Mark Swift, LPIP Hub Place Fellow with colleagues Tanuka Palit, Henk Parmentier, Liam Spence and James Smith. A Broader View of Innovation Health innovation in the UK is flourishing. Advances in AI, digital … Continue reading “Rebalancing Health Innovation for Health Equity: Put Communities at the Centre”
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”
Placecast podcast – Episode Four – Inclusive Innovation with Nina Ruddle and Gerardo Javier Arriaga-Garcia
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 that the … Continue reading “Placecast podcast – Episode Four – Inclusive Innovation with Nina Ruddle and Gerardo Javier Arriaga-Garcia”
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?”
LPIP Evidence Review: Innovation Policies for Local Places
This blog post by Dr Chloe Billing summarises our approach to an evidence review of place-based innovation policies and their role in supporting local economies, as part of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub work. Our review takes a multifaceted approach, defining key concepts and identifying critical questions around innovation accessibility, tailored support, geographical … Continue reading “LPIP Evidence Review: Innovation Policies for Local Places”
Exploring Educational Frameworks Across the UK: A Comparative Look at Knowledge Exchange and Teaching Excellence
The UK’s higher education frameworks, shaped by devolved governance, play a critical role in regional development, business innovation, and community benefits. Each nation—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—has distinct policies and funding structures. Elizabeth Goodyear explains how these frameworks work within each nation and how they compare to frameworks such as KEF and TEF. In … Continue reading “Exploring Educational Frameworks Across the UK: A Comparative Look at Knowledge Exchange and Teaching Excellence”