City-REDI

City-REDI is a leading evidence-based and policy-focused academic research institute, focusing on finding solutions to people and place-based inclusive economic, social and environmental development.

Based at the University of Birmingham, our mission is to work in partnership with people and places to facilitate local, regional and responsible growth for the benefit of all.

Our work focuses on the following research areas:

  • Ideas – the generation of new ideas and innovation as essential for creative, successful, and resilient regions.
  • People – creating successful places through successful people.
  • Infrastructure – including green and blue, digital, energy, transport and housing as essential components of place-based growth and prosperity.
  • Business – businesses as the drivers of employment and skills to drive wealth locally.
  • Places – focused on places, institutions and how key policies come together and interact in positive ways.

We run a major research council funded project:

The Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub

The Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub seeks to address nationwide issues through local partnership and place.

By working with local LPIPs, the Hub aims understand and solve local challenges around the UK through innovative and effective service-driven approach to place-based policy making and public service delivery. The LPIP Hub is designed to lead to a step-change in the quality and impact of the evidence created by universities and their local place partners.

The Hub has received £3.6 million in funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Innovate UK. It is a national consortium, led by the University of Birmingham, convening stakeholders across the research and policy ecosystem.


Latest reports

Collaborative innovation in employment policy: A Liverpool city region case study

This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores how the Liverpool City Region has sustained employment policy innovation. This policy briefing explores how the Liverpool City Region has sustained employment policy innovation across decades of national change. Drawing on programmes such as the City Strategy Pathfinder, Youth Employment Gateway, and Households into Work, it shows...

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Understanding the UK’s rise in economic inactivity since 2020

This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines the UK's rise in economic inactivity since 2020. This research & policy briefing outlines the main findings from a two-year project Levelling Up Labour Supply funded by the Economic & Social Research Council’s UK In a Changing Europe (Award Ref. ES/X005828/2). The main focus of the paper...

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Building winners: Strengthening the UK innovation ecosystem

This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores the structural, institutional and policy factors shaping the UK’s innovation ecosystem. This project, funded by the Innovation and Research Caucus (IRC), addresses that gap by exploring the structural, institutional, and policy factors shaping the UK’s innovation ecosystem. Through interviews with impactful innovators and innovation support bodies, the...

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A long-term strategy for housing: Lessons learned on the role of institutions and governance

This report from UK think tank City-REDI reflects on lessons learned on the role of institutions and governance in housing strategy. The UK Government has announced a £39 billion funding package and five-stage plan for social and affordable housing in England, with a comprehensive 10-year strategy due in 2025. This report reflects on the housing...

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The seven essentials of effective place-based growth

This report from UK think tank City-REDI looks at what the Government can learn from city-region mayors and devolved nations. This briefing sets out seven essential principles for effective place-based growth, drawing on the lived experience and emerging evidence from city-region mayors, devolved nations, the UKRI-funded Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub and the four funded...

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Data and transparency for combined authorities: briefing paper

This report from UK think tank City-REDI outlines seven key recommendations to enhance data access within and between local authorities and national government. Improving data sharing across UK Combined Authorities (CAs) is essential for driving smarter, evidence-based policymaking. A new paper from the LPIP Hub outlines seven key recommendations to enhance data access, transparency, and...

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Living and working more sustainably in a greener economy – evidence review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI highlights the critical challenges facing local governments in creating a sustainable, green economy. Climate change is increasingly impacting the world, with global temperatures 1.28°C above pre-industrial levels as of 2024. In the UK, nature is suffering, with a 19% average decline in wildlife since 1970 and nearly one...

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Geographical inequalities and sub-national funding in France

This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines how funding mechanisms can be used to better address spatial inequalities. The aim of this review is to draw out lessons for England, and the UK more broadly, in terms of how funding mechanisms can be used to better address spatial inequalities. The review is based on...

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Work-integrated learning in the Midlands space cluster

This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores the potential link between work-based learning models and productivity in the UK space industry. This research examines work-integrated learning (WIL) models in the Midlands space cluster, focusing on their role in addressing skills challenges and enhancing productivity in the UK space sector. The study investigates four key...

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Regional growth enquiry into the future of cultural investment in the West Midlands

This report from UK think tank City-REDI maps regional trends in public investment in culture, and provides a stark view of diminishing funding levels for the region’s position as a cultural powerhouse. Culture Central and West Midlands Cultural Compacts Network launched their Growth enquiry into the future of cultural investment in the West Midlands, which...

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Utilisation of funding – literature review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores the utilisation of funding. There is considerable interest in how funding is allocated to local stakeholders to address spatial inequalities and in the amount of funding that is available. However, funding comes with rules on how, when, where and what it can be spent. The focus of...

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Digital skills demand and shortages and their impact in UK regional economies

This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines the demand and shortages of digital skills across the UK, highlighting an increasing necessity for these skills. This research report examines the demand and shortages of digital skills across the UK, highlighting an increasing necessity for these skills in various regions, sectors, and occupations. From 2012 to...

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Demonstrating the economic impacts of civic universities

This report from UK think tank City-REDI aims to understand how universities are currently measuring their civic economic impact. The purpose of this report is to understand how universities are currently measuring their civic economic impact. Universities are not fully embedding their civic economic impact within their strategic framework and decision making. An economic impact...

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Birmingham economic review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores the economy of England’s second city and a high-quality resource for informing research, policy and investment decisions. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of England’s second city and a...

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Skills Evidence Review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI summarises skills policy across the UK, focusing on devolution, local skills ecosystems, and the role of higher and further education in supporting skills development. This evidence review summarises skills policy across the UK, focusing on devolution, local skills ecosystems, and the role of higher and further education in...

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