Local Space Cluster Development Support Program
This project has been funded by the UK Space Agency to support the development of a local space cluster in the West Midlands.
Background
The project will:
- Map the regional space activities in industry, academia and beyond
- Develop a vision for how the region could become a major player in space industry – identify the regional specialisms and networking opportunities
- Assess the opportunities for the regional supply chain to join these developments and hence the growth potential for the region
Funder/client: UK Space Agency
Timescale: October 2020 - March 2021 m.patterson@bham.ac.uk
Contact
Project Lead: Chloe Billing (C.A.Billing@bham.ac.uk)
Project Support: Matt Patterson (m.patterson@bham.ac.uk)
Our Objectives
Our Objectives
The research aims to support the development of an early stage local space cluster in the West Midlands. The project objectives are to deliver:
- A detailed understanding of its current space sector strengths, underpinning assets, market opportunities and local priorities
- A clear strategy and plan for how its space potential can be realised - including what support, guidance and investment is required
- Insight into how a West Midlands space cluster could participate in and contribute to a nationally linked network of Space clusters and hubs to benefit the whole of the UK.
Our Team
Our Team
- Professor Simon Collinson (Project Director)
- Dr Chloe Billing (Project Manager)
- Rebecca Riley (Project Lead)
- Professor Anne Green (Expert Advisor)
- Professor Raquel Ortega Argiles (Expert Advisor)
- George Bramley (Senior Consultant)
- Dr Anastasios Kitsos (Researcher)
- Dr Juliane Schwarz (Researcher)
- Ben Brittain (Researcher)
- Stuart Mitchell (Centre Manager - Communications)
Our Outputs
Our Outputs
Reports
- The West Midlands Space Cluster Development: Business Case
May 2021, Authors: Chloe Billing and Robert Bevan (Framework Innovation) - The West Midlands Space Sector Strengths, Underpinning Assets, and Market Opportunities
March 2021, Author: Chloe Billing et al - The West Midlands Space Cluster Development Programme: University Asset Mapping
March 2021, Author: Alice Pugh - The West Midlands Space Cluster Development Programme: Regional LEP and Policy Overview
March 2021, Author: Ben Brittain
In the Media
- University of Birmingham one of seven 'space hubs' set for UK Space Agency funding
University of Birmingham, November 2020 - Government funding secured for development of West Midlands space hub
Business Live, November 2020 - West Midlands has lift off for new space hub
TheBusinessDesk.Com, November 2020 - Support for West Mids Space Hub
Insider Media, November 2020 - Lift off! Space hub to be set up in West Midlands
Midlands Aerospace Alliance, November 2020
Blogs
- Meeting the Skills Needs of the Space Sector
Professor Anne Green, City-REDI blog, 15 September 2021 - How Can a Space Cluster Help the West Midlands to Diversify?
Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles, City-REDI blog, 7 September 2021 - The Principles of Smart Specialisation and Space Cluster Development
Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles, City-REDI blog, 2 September 2021 - How Can the Space Sector Drive Growth and Productivity in the West Midlands?
Professor Simon Collinson and Julia Goldsworthy, City-REDI blog, 11 August 2021 - The West Midlands and Outer Space
Dr Chloe Billing, City-REDI blog, 24 November 2020