In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of UPEN Member Institutions working with local policy partners to support research-informed, place-based policymaking. Doing so in the context of devolution, prolonged public sector austerity, and growing financial pressures across the university sector is no small challenge.
To support this work, UPEN has established a new Place Programme. The Place team will champion and support Members’ local engagement across the UK, highlighting shared opportunities and challenges. Members will be able to apply for funding, join a new place network, and pilot innovative place-based initiatives.
Devolution and austerity call for new ways of working
Devolution across the UK presents a complex and uneven landscape for UPEN Member Institutions, shaping how universities and local policy partners can collaborate on place-based academic policy engagement.
In England, the latest wave of devolution has created significant asymmetries of power and capacity. While some regions have established Mayoral Strategic Authorities with budgets and delivery infrastructure, others are still negotiating devolution deals or building new governance arrangements.
There are indications that Scotland and Wales may also explore further regional devolution, while in Northern Ireland the Executive has been working to recover from its collapse between 2022 and 2024 – with implications for engagement between universities and local authorities.
At the same time, austerity and ongoing public sector reform continue to constrain local collaboration. Local authorities in England have experienced a 27% real-terms reduction in spending since 2010, with cuts of 10-12% in Scotland and Wales. Nearly half of English universities are now operating with financial deficits, with similar pressures across Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh institutions.
Together, the asymmetric nature of devolution and sustained financial constraints mean universities and their partners must find new, agile and sustainable ways to support place-based academic policy engagement.
Supporting UPEN members on their journey
Whether you are a UPEN member institution seeking to strengthen local partnerships, or a local policy partner looking to collaborate with universities across the UK, the UPEN Place Programme will offer practical support through:
- Peer-learning networks
- Funding for new initiatives
- A local policy toolkit for university engagement
- Targeted work to tackle barriers to place-based collaboration
Next steps
Running until June 2028, the Place team will champion place-based academic policy engagement across the UK. A new UPEN Place Network will launch later this year, and we are keen to hear from members and partners about what has worked well in their local context.
For members interested in finding out more, please get in touch.
Related resources
Policy Fellowships Network will use shared learning to improve practice
Report: How and where is policy engagement recognised and rewarded in Higher Education?
Early Years Education and Care Research: Lessons Learned for Academic Policy Engagement
