February 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
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This conference focused on the developing role of universities in contributing to the communities and economies where they are based, and participating in policy initiatives aimed at reducing regional disparities across the UK.
As the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill was discussed in Parliament, it was a timely opportunity to discuss the development and implementation of locally-focused HEI engagement strategies, including funding priorities - as well as the wider direction of policy and possible implications for the HE sector of initiatives such as new university-centred investment zones.
Areas for discussion included:
- policy landscape: the direction of government policy on levelling up, regional development and the role of the higher education system - integration of HE into national strategy and local planning
- implementation priorities: understanding local economic and social needs - partnerships with local government, FE, businesses and communities - structures for accountability and governance
- education and skills: the future role of universities in adult learning, retraining and upskilling - factoring HE into local planning - holistic skills development
- local economies: key partnerships - support for innovation, business development and investment - harnessing research clusters and infrastructure - promoting green growth and transition
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions from Richard Brabner, Director, UPP Foundation; and Member, Steering Group, Civic University Commission; Lord O’Neill, Chair, Northern Gritstone; and Vice Chair, Northern Powerhouse Partnership; and Michael Queen, Enterprise M3 LEP; and Council of University Chairs.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside policy officials who attended from BEIS; Defra; DSTL; Department for the Economy; Department for the Economy, NI; DfE; DLUHC; HMRC; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
