Former UPP Foundation chair Richard Brabner to lead policy advocacy work as part of Civic 2.0 initiative
The hub will help universities to advance their role in their towns, cities, and regions, supporting local economies and government
Universities around the UK will be able to tap into a new national policy hub being established at the University of Birmingham, as part of a new country-wide collaboration called Civic 2.0.
The new national initiative called Civic 2.0 announced today aims to strengthen the role of universities in their towns, cities, and regions. Civic 2.0 builds on the legacy of the UPP Foundation’s Civic University Commission and the Civic University Network to establish a consortium of UK universities. The consortium will provide leadership and best practice for the sector on policy advocacy with sector-wide capacity building to ensure universities deliver maximum social and economic benefit for the places they serve.
The University of Birmingham will act as the hub for policy advocacy for Civic 2.0, and has appointed Richard Brabner, former Executive Chair of the UPP Foundation as Director of Policy engagement, and an LPIP Fellow at the University of Birmingham.
I’m delighted to work with outstanding partners to build a campaign that unlocks policy solutions and amplifies the positive impact higher education has on our towns, cities, and regions
Over the next three years, Brabner will collaboratively develop practical, evidence-based proposals to advance the role of universities in the places they are part of, connecting universities with business, the NHS, local government, and schools and colleges.
The programme will campaign and advocate regionally and nationally for the civic university agenda, with the aim of supporting policy makers across the political spectrum to recognise the positive impact universities have in their places and the policies required to leverage that impact further for economic and social progress.
Richard Brabner, LPIP Fellow at the University of Birmingham and a Visiting Professor for Civic Engagement, Newcastle University said: “Universities have made significant progress on the civic university agenda in recent years, but policy incentives continue to point in the wrong direction. I’m delighted to work with outstanding partners to build a campaign that unlocks policy solutions and amplifies the positive impact higher education has on our towns, cities, and regions.”
Professor Rebecca Riley, Co-Director City-REDI, Birmingham Business School & Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement, University of Birmingham said: “This work represents a critical moment for universities to reaffirm their role as anchors in their communities. At a time when trust in institutions is under pressure and economic challenges are acute, we must demonstrate that universities are not only centres of learning and research but also engines of local growth and social progress. This initiative will help ensure that our sector remains relevant, responsive, and deeply connected to the places we serve.”
The development of policy advocacy as part of Civic 2.0 will also include policies which drive local economic growth, attract investment, and provide opportunities in towns, cities and regions across the UK.
Richard Brabner will work closely with founding partners—the University of Birmingham, Newcastle University, Queen Mary University of London, and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE)— alongside regional research organisation Midlands Innovation, to advance this agenda.
Alex Favier, Global Campaign Director for the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign said: “The Invest in UK University R&D Campaign hosted by Midlands Innovation is a national proof-of-concept pilot for the UK with a remit to develop insight and inform both policy and practice in the higher education sector.
"Our Pilot has found that attracting inward investment in order to drive growth and create jobs is an increasingly important part of how universities can fulfil their civic mission – both to regional partners and in delivering the UK Government’s mission for growth. We are delighted to be supporting this initiative as something that will help address the current policy ‘corridor of uncertainty’ that FDI into university R&D falls into – and ensuring that learnings from the Pilot are shared across UK higher education.”
Civic 2.0 is a consortium-led initiative, with partners committed to sustaining and refreshing the civic movement. Alongside policy advocacy, NCCPE will host the Civic University Network, convening a national Community of Practice, and maintaining the assets of the Civic University Network and National Civic Impact Accelerator.
The University of Birmingham will be funding this programme from the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, a UKRI investment,. managed by ESRC in place-based partnership working.
Universities and potential partners are invited to get in touch with Richard Brabner in relation to joining the advocacy programme and the NCCPE in relation to sector practice and to join the new Civic University Network mailing list.
Sophie Duncan, Co-Director of the NCCPE said: “The Civic University Network and NCIA resources are vital for helping universities deliver on their civic mission. NCCPE is committed to sustaining these assets to share learning, build capacity, and accelerate leadership—ensuring universities create lasting impact for the places they serve. We’re delighted to join this consortium and work with Richard to build on the progress made and take civic policy and practice to the next level.”
As England’s first civic university founded in 1900, the University of Birmingham is committed to the city of Birmingham and its people to address the challenges of the present and future. The University pledged its commitment to Birmingham as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations , to address the challenges of the future, to promote education and opportunity, drive innovation and progress, and support the community.
A comprehensive review based on data from the 2021-22 academic year, commissioned by the University of Birmingham and carried out by London Economics, highlighted the significant impact it makes to the West Midlands and UK economies – totalling £4.4bn and supporting nearly 20,000 jobs. In addition, the University of Birmingham has significant strategic partnerships in health, business and cultural life to help key sectors of the regions industry and infrastructure.
Professor Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact
Rebecca Riley is a Professor of Enterprise of Engagement, and Impact in City-REDI, within Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK.
