Strengthening the UK’s R&D workforce: Insights from a DSIT–City-REDI research collaboration

This blog shares details from a recent research paper published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The study explores long-term trends, challenges, and future skills needs in the R&D workforce. Introduction A strong research and development (R&D) workforce is vital for the UK. Skilled R&D professionals play a crucial role in driving … Continue reading “Strengthening the UK’s R&D workforce: Insights from a DSIT–City-REDI research collaboration”

Project Spotlight: Digital Skills Demand and Shortages and Their Impact on the UK Regions

In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI. In the latest blog, we look at Dr Hunajia Ma, Dr Matthew Lyons, Dr Konstantinos Kollydas and Professor Anne Green’s work on the shortage of digital skills in the UK. In an era of rapid technological transformation, digital … Continue reading “Project Spotlight: Digital Skills Demand and Shortages and Their Impact on the UK Regions”

​Project Spotlight: Rethinking Local Labour Markets and Under employment in the UK​

​In a new series of blogs, we will review City-REDI’s current and historical work. In the next blog, we will examine a paper published by Professor Donald Houston and colleagues. This report illuminates the persistent challenges of underemployment and workforce planning in the UK’s local labour markets. The research delves into the factors contributing to … Continue reading “​Project Spotlight: Rethinking Local Labour Markets and Under employment in the UK​”

Expert Insight: Developing Skills for Innovation and Business Growth in the West Midlands

Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development and Co-Director of City-REDI, University of Birmingham, is a commissioner for the Business Commission West Midlands. She has been supporting engagement in the region’s business community and the creation of the final ‘Roadmap for Business Growth’ report. In this blog, Anne reflects on her role in the commission … Continue reading “Expert Insight: Developing Skills for Innovation and Business Growth in the West Midlands”

Vision to Legacy

Anne Green looks back at the achievements of the now-defunct Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), summarising some of the findings from our report about the partnership – From Vision to Legacy. What were the Local Enterprise Partnerships? Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were non-statutory bodies responsible for local economic development in England, until … Continue reading “Vision to Legacy”

Skills for Innovation Workshop – A Reflection

Fumi Kitagawa shares some of the findings from ‘Skills for Innovation’, a workshop which took place at The Exchange in Birmingham on 24 April 2024, organised by City-REDI with colleagues from the Centre for Innovation Management Research (CIMR), Birkbeck, University of London. The day started with a series of research presentations, followed by a panel discussion … Continue reading “Skills for Innovation Workshop – A Reflection”

The Shrinking £, The Invisible Man, The Disappearing Village

Ann Tonks, Director, Chapter Restaurant discusses the impact of the increases in hospitality and how venues are closing. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review, published in September 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration … Continue reading “The Shrinking £, The Invisible Man, The Disappearing Village”

Tune in to the City-REDI / WMREDI Podcast

We launched our podcast series last summer, and since then we’ve discussed a whole range of regional and national issues with experts from business, economics, transport, education, work, skills and local government. Each episode is no more than 30 minutes long and ready to be downloaded to listen to on your commute, lunch break or … Continue reading “Tune in to the City-REDI / WMREDI Podcast”

How Can National and Local Skills Policies Encourage Collaboration Between Universities, Colleges and Employers To Drive Productivity, Innovation and Growth?

In our latest podcast, Chris Millward, Professor of Practice in Education Policy at the School of Education, University of Birmingham talks to Peter Creticos, President and Executive Director, at the Institute for Work and the Economy in Chicago and Ewart Keep, Professor of Education, Training and Skills at the University of Oxford, about skills policy … Continue reading “How Can National and Local Skills Policies Encourage Collaboration Between Universities, Colleges and Employers To Drive Productivity, Innovation and Growth?”

Skills and Regional Economic Development

Anne Green and Abigail Taylor discuss skills policy in the UK. How can we improve skill provision to reduce regional economical disparity? This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022.  The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of … Continue reading “Skills and Regional Economic Development”