Hub project towards inclusive sustainable economic growth

A new research hub has been launched in June 2023 to explore ways in which local places can be empowered to meet the needs of their communities. Dr Vicky Ward, Reader in Management and Co-Director of the Research Unit for Research Utilisation at the School of Management, is a member of the partnership delivery team, which is responsible for designing, developing and delivering the services and activities of the hub.

Led by the University of Birmingham's City Region Economic and Development Institute (City-REDI), which has been awarded £3.6m for the 44-month project, the hub will investigate the social, community, economic and environmental priorities that contribute towards inclusive sustainable economic growth.

The Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIPs) hub is funded by the ESRC, Innovate UK and the Art and Humanities Research Council, and brings together a network of people who have delivered engagement, impact and translational research.

A key aim for the hub will be to consider local challenges and to formulate solutions which can be scaled up across the UK through place-based policymaking. The hub is designed to lead to a change in the quality and impact of the evidence created by universities and their local place partners.