Jamie Ounan calls for local authorities to lead economic transformation through mission-based approaches—focusing on bold, long-term goals, collaboration, and aligning resources to community needs—to achieve fairer, greener, and more inclusive local economies. If you’re a Chief Executive in a Local Authority or Combined Authority right now, you’re in the driving seat for a generational opportunity … Continue reading “Inclusive and Sustainable Local Economic Performance: What Place-Based Leaders can do Next”
Putting the Local in Local Growth Plans
Jessica Craig from Power to Change writes about how government and combined authorities can foster inclusive growth through the social economy. The Labour Government took power with a central mission of accelerating growth and tackling declining living standards. A little over a year on from the election, there’s now a more established roadmap to attaining … Continue reading “Putting the Local in Local Growth Plans”
Placecast Podcast – Series Recap
We’re five episodes into Placecast – the podcast exploring the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government. So it seems like a good time to take a quick look back at the episodes so far, which we will look at below. As a bit of a teaser for what’s … Continue reading “Placecast Podcast – Series Recap”
Beyond Benchmarks: Reflections from Regional Studies Association Conference Session on Culture, Communities and Infrastructure in Place-Based Policy
At the recent RSA session “Culture, Communities and Infrastructure: Building Capacity, Capability and Confidence in Place,” Dr Sara Hassan and Professor Abi Gilmore brought together a group of researchers, engagement and knowledge exchange managers to explore exactly this question. Co-convened by colleagues at the University of Birmingham and drawing on the research of the UKRI … Continue reading “Beyond Benchmarks: Reflections from Regional Studies Association Conference Session on Culture, Communities and Infrastructure in Place-Based Policy”
Unveiling Hidden Capabilities: Insights from the CAPE Report on Knowledge Mobilisers
Elizabeth Goodyear discusses a recent report from CAPE on knowledge mobilisers. In a recent UPEN members meeting, the group looked at the CAPE report Hidden Talents: Core Competencies of Knowledge Mobilisers Working in Public Policy – CAPE, which delves into the hidden capabilities of knowledge mobilisers and explores “what works” in the realm of knowledge … Continue reading “Unveiling Hidden Capabilities: Insights from the CAPE Report on Knowledge Mobilisers”
Policy News – July 2025
This blog summarises the latest policy news that is important to place, including reports, inquiries, consultations, government research and events. View previous editions. If you have a piece of research that you would like to be featured in Policy News, please get in touch. UK Government Title Details Published The Public Design Evidence Review The … Continue reading “Policy News – July 2025”
Placecast podcast – Episode Five – Bridging the Gap: Universities, Policy, and the Power of Place
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 Five – Bridging the Gap: Universities, Policy, and the Power of Place”
Responding to Richard Jones: Civic Engagement in Practice at City-REDI and the University of Birmingham
In this response to Richard Jones’ blog, Rebecca Riley highlights how the University of Birmingham is putting civic engagement into practice through City-REDI, the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, and its Civic Agreement. Showing how universities can play a vital role in tackling regional inequality and supporting local growth. Richard Jones’ recent blog offers … Continue reading “Responding to Richard Jones: Civic Engagement in Practice at City-REDI and the University of Birmingham”
Why the LPIP Hub Needs a Common Language: Introducing Our Glossary of Terms
Elizabeth Goodyear introduces the LPIP Hub’s new glossary as a vital step toward building a shared language that strengthens collaboration across diverse sectors in place-based policy innovation. At the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Whether working with academic institutions, policymakers, community organisations, or other stakeholders, we face … Continue reading “Why the LPIP Hub Needs a Common Language: Introducing Our Glossary of Terms”
The Hidden Glue: The People Behind the Scenes of Collaborative Partnerships
Elizabeth Goodyear highlights how the unsung individuals—boundary-spanners, knowledge mobilisers, and empathetic leaders—are the hidden glue holding successful university-community partnerships together through their essential, often unrecognised relational work. When we talk about the successes of collaborative, place-based partnerships between universities and communities, we often spotlight big achievements: policy shifts, sustainability wins, innovative health projects. But behind … Continue reading “The Hidden Glue: The People Behind the Scenes of Collaborative Partnerships”