April 2019 highlights

Show not tell: the knowledge exchange concordat

Trevor McMillan and Alice Frost explain that the Knowledge Exchange Concordat will enable universities to communicate their strengths and future aspirations.

Embedding inclusive growth within Local Industrial Strategies

By Professor Christina Beatty and Dr Richard Crisp - Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University

Five tech trends transforming higher education

Read more on how robotic process automation (RPA); chatbots; data analytics; artificial intelligence; and online collaboration will influence HE.

Further Education Skills Index

Class privilege remains entrenched as social mobility stagnates

The Social Mobility Commission's State of the Nation 2018 to 2019 report highlights inequality in Britain and sets out key findings and recommendations.

Update on the Civic University Commission:

More than 50 universities have pledged their commitment to developing a Civic University Agreement in partnership with local government and other major institutions in their area. The agreement is the headline recommendation of the UPP Foundation’s Civic University Commission and proposes that universities develop and implement projects that address particular challenges for local communities and regions.

And here's a reflection piece from Phil Pilkington on universities as anchors

UK2070:

Latest Think Pieces from the evidence series include:

• Strategic Development in Scotland by Dr. Graeme Purves
• Strategic Spatial Development in the West Midlands—a Long View Perspective by Futures Network West Midlands

2019 Horizon Report

This report profiles six key trends, six significant challenges, and six important developments in educational technology as ranked by an expert panel of leaders from across the higher education landscape. Download here.

Business for a purpose: Growing the civic core of the Northern Powerhouse

The north of England has a long and proud history of civic-minded enterprise. Many northern businesses, large and small, are longstanding institutions that provide significant value to their area, above and beyond their role as employers and taxpayers. Many more are already rethinking their civic role in relation to their staff, their supply chain and their impact upon the environment.

Graduate Labour Market Statistics

This year’s Graduate Labour Market Statistics (GLMS) from the Department for Education show that in 2018, the median graduate salary for working age graduates (£34,000) was £10,000 more than the median non graduate salary (£24,000). This represents a nominal increase of £3,000 for graduates since 2010.

The statistics also reveal that gaps in earnings still exist between different groups of the working age population – with male graduates earning £9,500 more than female graduates, and white graduates earning £9,500 more than black graduates. GLMS is a survey based instrument drawing on the Labour Force Survey, which covers only individuals domiciled in England. BBC News covers the story.

Opportunity to define Grand Challenge success at government workshops

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is running a series of workshops to explore what success looks like for businesses in the Grand Challenge sectors.

These will start with a workshop for businesses working on the Future of Mobility on Monday 20 May 2019 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

The workshop will explore how businesses define Grand Challenge success for their company, for their sector, and for the UK, and how success could be measured.

Any transport or mobility business is welcome to take part. Contact Liz Gilfillan for more information by emailing Elizabeth.Gilfilan@beis.gov.uk.

Register on Eventbrite by Tuesday 30 April.

EdTech Strategy marks 'new era'

The use of technology in education will be transformed by a new government strategy to reduce teacher workload, boost student outcomes and help level the playing field for those with special needs and disabilities.

Unveiling the Education Technology Strategy at the Schools and Academies Show in London, the Education Secretary Damian Hinds set out plans – backed by £10 million – to support innovation and raise the bar in schools, colleges and universities across England.

Teachers, lecturers and education experts will unite with innovative businesses to harness the power of technology to tackle common challenges, and to ensure those working in education are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to meet the needs of schools, colleges, and their pupils.

The UK’s innovative EdTech businesses are integral to the success of the strategy, and through our modern Industrial Strategy we are supporting these businesses to start, scale and grow, placing the UK at the forefront in the development and adoption of new technologies.

Read more about the announcement.

End of an era for Smart Specialisation Hub

At the end of March, the curtain came down on the Smart Specialisation Hub project co-delivered by NCUB and the Knowledge Transfer Network. Read in full here.

Spending Review faces Brexit delay, warns Hammond

Civil Service World covers Chancellor Philip Hammond’s comments that there will be a delay to the spending review.

ESIF - New ESF call: Skills Service Phase 2

The next Call to be issued as part of the ESIF (European Structural and Investment Funds) programme in the Leeds City Region has been published on the government website. The following ESF (European Social Fund) Call has been issued.

Skills Service Phase 2

• Priority Axis 2 - £7,000,000

• Minimum response value - £1,750,000

• Call Reference – OC20S19 P1365

• A direct link to the call can be found here.

The closing date for the Call is 23:59 on Wednesday 5th June 2019

Mind the equity gap

Companies in London, the South-East and the East of England receive 75% of all equity investments in the UK – and that share is increasing over time, new research has shown.

Industrial Strategy: Four Rationales

This blog was written by Dr Max Nathan, City-REDI, University of Birmingham and Deputy Director, What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth.

It was first posted here as part of a What Works Centre piece, part of the Centre’s industrial strategy design guide.

It features in our 10 Principles report, which forms the centrepiece of a major programme of work with central and local decisionmakers in 2018 and 2019.

Productivity Insights Network newsletter

Note the latest blogs, upcoming events and publications sections.

Businesses Must Take Advantage of Generous Tax Reliefs to Continue Innovation Trajectory

This blog post has been produced to provide insight into the findings of the Birmingham Economic Review. The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, with contributions from the West Midlands Growth Company. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of England’s second city and is a high-quality resource for organisations seeking to understand Birmingham to inform research, policy or investment decisions.

The First Twelve Institutes of Technology Announced

New employer-led Institutes of Technology to offer top-quality, higher level technical education to help close skills gaps in key STEM areas. 12 new institutes will be launched across the country, with the North East’s New College Durham and York College in Yorkshire selected to become Institutes of Technology.

Place-based Policy Expo: Enhancing Relevance, Sharpening Our Understanding

The Regional Studies Association has commissioned a Policy Expo to look at place-based policy and its implementation around the globe. As an initiative of the Association, every opportunity is being taken to hear the views of RSA members and from policy makers. In March there was a call for suggestions around case studies the project team should examine, and in June there will be an opportunity for attendees at the Annual Conference in Santiago De Compostela to give their input in person at a series of focus groups RSA are organising.

Time for UKRI to show its hand

One year after its launch, UK Research and Innovation seems to be doing a decent job—but it can be hard to tell, says James Wilsdon professor of research policy at the University of Sheffield.

UK2070

Mike Shields CBE writes Think Piece on the effectiveness of RDAs

In its continuing series of publishing new Think Pieces on a weekly basis, the UK2070 Commission published a new article written by Mike Shields CBE, which assesses the success of the former Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). Read here.

Think pieces from Peter O'Brien

Towards a more place-sensitive approach to R&D and innovation investment

Civic universities in Yorkshire