A planned restructuring of local councils in England ¨C leading to fewer, larger authorities ¨C coupled with moves to devolve more powers to the regions will allow universities to play a more central role in driving innovation in their local areas, experts say.

Under plans outlined in a recent government White Paper, all two-tier local authority areas are set to be restructured into unitary authorities, creating a single focal point for local civic engagement for universities that have previously had to deal with several different bodies.

Strengthening the ability to develop local innovation ecosystems is seen as a potential upside of the reforms.

Tom Rodden, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at the University of Nottingham, said that there was increasing recognition of the role science and technology can play as an ¡°engine¡± for placed-based growth.

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¡°For universities like ours, we see ourselves very much as the anchor point for much of that growth,¡± he told Times Higher Education. ¡°Universities play such a critical role in thinking about driving growth and innovation.¡±

Nottingham sits within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which was created in March 2024 ¨C an initiative other areas hope to replicate.

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The Innovation Advisory Board, which Rodden chairs, has been able to get key regional businesses, such as Rolls-Royce, around the table to discuss strategy and ¡°to knit together the chain¡± of innovation with local universities.

¡°The big advantages that you get from the combined authority model is it offers a bigger and a more coherent grouping to work through,¡± said Rodden.

¡°Whereas before, you¡¯d be looking at working with a broader range of stakeholders, there¡¯s a focus point.¡±

The White Paper said it wants to support more local leaders, in partnership with businesses and universities, to unlock their regions¡¯ innovation potential.

¡°We demonstrate value and growth, and we deliver on our core mission of making the economy of the region better and making the lives of the people in the region better,¡± added Rodden.

¡°For us a critical part of why we¡¯re here¡­it¡¯s in the DNA of universities to do this.¡±

The EMCCA does not include the University of Leicester, which like about half of the UK, is not covered by a devolved authority. Some worry this leaves many universities without a clear way of engaging in skills and innovation planning at a regional level.

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Nishan Canagarajah, president and vice-chancellor of Leicester, said: ¡°Universities are the backbone of regional economies across the country. Our world-leading research fuels innovation, drives technological advancements, and generates new ideas, while our role in skills provision creates jobs and meets the needs of industry.

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¡°As engines of economic growth, universities must be empowered in every part of the UK to support the government¡¯s mission for economic growth within the context of English devolution.¡±

Those aiming to operate in a devolved authority may look to replicate the success that the University of Manchester has had since the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) was established in 2011.

The university had previously found it ¡°almost impossible¡± to do anything serious at a city region scale because it involved dealing with 10 different boroughs, according to Chris Taylor, associate vice-president for research.

¡°As far as the university¡¯s concerned, the creation of the city region authority with some devolved responsibility has really enabled the university to have a much more strategic discussion with the city region than was possible previously.¡±

While it has taken years to develop a working relationship of trust, Taylor said there has been ¡°huge mutual benefit¡± from devolution ¨C and that other universities stand to benefit from the proposed changes.

¡°It¡¯s changed the way the university thinks about the city region, in thinking that we should always think about the ecosystem, not just about the short-term interests of the university, and that just wasn¡¯t possible before the creation of GMCA.¡±

During a recent discussion on the future of devolution for Greater Manchester, mayor Andy Burnham highlighted how the university¡¯s research helps to influence strategies and policies that make a real difference in people¡¯s lives.

Burnham said the ¡°architecture of the British state will seismically change¡± over the next decade, and hoped that the University of Manchester will continue to upskill and develop talent across the city-region.

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¡°Universities have been some of our most instrumental partners over the years, helping us to build an intellectual case for our strategy.¡±

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com