August 2024
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£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on key developments and next steps for strengthening the relationship between universities and their local communities.
It brought together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss latest thinking on priority areas in which HEIs can contribute to their communities, strategy and best practice for implementing effective civic roles, and the way forward for measuring the impact of partnerships between local government, businesses and universities.
The conference was also a timely opportunity for delegates to discuss the issues in the context of policy ambitions laid out by the new Government for creating a secure future for higher education.
Delegates discussed latest thinking on areas where the involvement of universities in their communities can have the most beneficial local impact, including outreach and mentoring for SMEs, schools and colleges, and support for employment, communities and regeneration, as well as key sectors such as the creative industries.
Those attending also looked at cost-benefit for universities, examining options for incentivising HEIs to contribute to local growth while reducing unnecessary associated administration and bureaucracy.
It was an opportunity to discuss next steps for the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) and the Action Learning Programme (ALP), with 12 civic university partnerships aiming to accelerate the local social and economic impact of UK universities. Delegates assessed what has been learnt so far from evidence gathering by NCIA to establish what works, share innovation, and provide universities with the framework and tools to effectively contribute to communities.
The agenda also included discussion on priorities for driving universities’ public and community engagement, and working with the public and third sectors, which was a focus of KEF3, with results for individual universities published in September 2023, as well as the role of HEIs in local innovation and regional regeneration.
Further sessions looked at funding for local HEI research projects, including identifying and securing sources of revenue for long-term regional projects, as well as best practice for applying funds to effectively achieve key outcomes.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Alice Frost, Director, Knowledge Exchange, UKRI; Richard Brabner, Director, ESG, UPP; and Executive Chair, UPP Foundation; Adam Leach, Programme Director, National Civic Impact Accelerator; and Greg Wade, Head, Innovation Policy, Universities UK.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DfE; DLUHC; Defra; DBT; DSIT; Dstl; Department for the Economy, NI; IPO; DAERA, NI; DoH, NI; GO-Science; MOJ; UKHSA; HMPPS; HMRC; Home Office; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
The proceedings of the conference will be circulated more widely, to Parliamentarians, ministerial offices, and government and regulatory officials with an interest in the issues being discussed. All delegates will also receive a video recording of the conference.
