Arts and Humanities Research Council Place Programme (AHRC)
The AHRC Place Programme will demonstrate how arts and humanities approaches can make a real contribution to:
- how do we understand the complexities of place
- how we can use this knowledge to shape the future of places.
Areas of work
The programme will collaborate with communities and those within and beyond academia, government, and industry to bring together individuals and collectives interested in and working on place.
They will increase access to relevant arts and humanities research and expertise and build capacity to make use of this to utilise relevant funding sources beyond AHRC and to inform planning.
Their knowledge exchange projects will bring arts and humanities research to local and regional decision-makers and consider how this information can be used to support place-based policies and practices.
Together the programme will help to identify and evidence areas where arts and humanities-led research does and can continue to address the place agenda.
Contact details
Catapult Networks
Catapults are not-for-profit, independent technology and innovation centres that connect businesses with the UK’s research and academic communities.
Areas of work
There are currently nine catapults:
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: Accelerates early-stage research into advanced therapies, making the UK a leader in cell and gene therapies.
- Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult: Drives innovation in compound semiconductors for global leadership in new applications.
- Connected Places Catapult: Acts as an innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and places, fostering improvements in people’s lives and urban infrastructure.
- Digital Catapult: Leads in the adoption of advanced digital technologies like AI, 5G, and IoT, boosting UK businesses and the economy.
- Energy Systems Catapult: Identifies clean growth opportunities, driving innovation in the UK’s energy systems for a sustainable future.
- High-Value Manufacturing Catapult: Supports UK manufacturers with cutting-edge technology, enhancing performance and productivity.
- Medicines Discovery Catapult: Connects the UK community to accelerate drug discovery, improving patient-centred medicines.
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult: Drives clean growth and positions the UK as a world leader in offshore renewable energy.
- Satellite Applications Catapult: Fosters satellite application growth, helping businesses leverage space technology for connectivity and information.
Contact details
Creative Industries Clusters Programme
The Creative Industries Clusters Program unites cutting-edge research talent with companies and organisations from the UK’s four nations, marking a pioneering research and development investment.
Areas of work
The programme aims to:
- Drive Innovation: The primary aim is to foster innovation within the creative industries by investing substantially. This facilitates the development of novel ideas, technologies, and approaches that push the boundaries of creativity.
- Enhance Skills: The initiative aims to enhance skills by promoting education, training, and professional development, creating a workforce adaptable to evolving sector demands.
- Global Market Presence: Creating products and experiences with international appeal expands the global market presence of the UK’s creative industries, boosting exports and contributing to economic growth.
- Collaboration and Clustering: Creative clusters encourage synergistic collaborations by bringing professionals, organizations, and institutions together, fostering networking and knowledge sharing.
Contact details
Economics Observatory (ECO)
The Economics Observatory (ECO) is a new project that bridges the gap between academic research, government policy and the general public. Their goal is to provide balanced and reliable answers to questions about the economy. The ECO make it their mission to make these answers as accessible and engaging as possible.
Areas of work
The ECO areas of work cover a wide range of topics including Business, Data, Trade and Supply Chains, Nations, Region and Cities to name a few. To see the full list, please visit their website.
Contact details
EDI Caucus
EDI Caucus is a transformative initiative funded by ESRC, dedicated to advancing research in economic, behavioural, social, and data sciences. Its mission is to foster collaboration, inclusivity, and positive change within the research community. Through comprehensive support and opportunities, the EDI Caucus addresses inequalities and underrepresentation, working towards a diverse and equitable research landscape.
Areas of work
- Policy Influence: The EDI Caucus strives to shape policies and practices in the Research and Innovation (R&I) landscape through rigorous research evidence.
- Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs): The initiative conducts EIAs to ensure fairness and eliminate barriers that could disadvantage protected groups in R&I policies, events, and decision-making.
- Seamless Integration of EDI: The EDI Caucus aims to create an environment where equality, diversity, and inclusion are seamlessly integrated into R&I practices, setting a benchmark for equitable approaches.
Contact details
Email: [email protected]
Innovate UK Business Connect
Innovate UK Business Connect is the new name for Innovate UK KTN. They connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.
Areas of work
Innovate UK Business Connect works across a large array of areas including AgriFood, Electronics, Manufacturing and Place. Find out the full list of areas on their website.
Contact details
Email – [email protected]
Telephone – 03333 403250
Innovate UK Business Growth
Innovate UK Business Growth plays a vital role as part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in pioneering businesses that drive economic growth. It is a publicly funded service accessible to high potential small to medium-sized innovation-driven companies, including innovate UK grant winners.
Areas of work
- Empower Growth: Innovate UK Business Growth aims to empower small to medium-sized innovation-driven companies to grow and scale, driving economic growth.
- Support Innovation: The centre assists businesses in developing commercial strategies, protecting intellectual property, and accessing the global innovation ecosystem.
- Connect Businesses: Innovate UK Business Growth fosters collaborations and partnerships between businesses and various organizations both nationally and internationally.
- Access Funding and Finance: They guide businesses in securing grants, capital, and finance options to enhance investor appeal and readiness.
- Market Expansion: Innovate UK Business Growth helps companies enter new markets, facilitating market research and strategic advice for expansion.
Contact Details
Email – innovateukedge.ukri.org
Telephone – 0300 123 3066
Innovation Accelerators
The Innovation Accelerators program stands resolute in its commitment to nurturing innovation and driving progress. With a substantial investment of £100 million, the program strategically supports 26 impactful projects.
Areas of work
Innovation accelerator initiatives are strategically aimed at propelling the growth and evolution of three distinct yet high-potential innovation clusters. By injecting resources into these clusters, the program seeks to cultivate an environment ripe for innovation, collaboration, and transformative advancements across various sectors.
- Glasgow: Focusing on advanced manufacturing, space, and precision medicine, Glasgow aims to boost significant venture capital investments within key growth innovation sectors.
- Greater Manchester: Leading in sustainable advanced materials and manufacturing, digital and tech, health innovation, and carbon neutrality by 2038, Greater Manchester strives for a holistic and sustainable future.
- West Midlands: By accelerating R&D and innovation strengths, West Midlands is committed to greener technologies, improved personalized and digital healthcare, robust supply chains, and localized job creation.
Contact details
Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) is a prominent independent economics research institute in the UK. Its research serves to aid policymakers and ensure transparency and accountability by analysing the effects of policy decisions on individuals, households, and businesses.
Areas of work
IFS’s research agenda is structured around five interconnected themes:
- Inequalities and Living Standards
- Tax and Benefit Reform
- Human Capital and Productivity
- Challenges of an Ageing Population
- Demands on Public Expenditure and Public Services
Contact details
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7291 4800
International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO)
The International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO) aims to mobilise and assess evidence from across the four nations of the United Kingdom, and beyond, to inform policymakers about the best ways to address social harms.
Their overall ambition is to contribute to better policymaking and thereby to the well-being of all UK citizens.
Areas of work
These include:
- Place and Spatial Inequality
- Socio-Economic Inequalities
- Net Zero
- COVID Recovery
Contact details
Emails – [email protected]
National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) is dedicated to dissecting the profound economic and social issues influencing lives. Its mission involves crafting enhanced policy responses to these challenges. Through rigorous research and proactive collaboration, NIESR not only comprehends complex dynamics but actively influences decision-making. Bridging academia and action, NIESR translates insights into tangible policy improvements. As a beacon of intellect and change, NIESR embodies the transformative power of research-driven policy to create a more equitable and informed future.
Areas of work
NIESR delves into the interaction between economic and social forces, impacting people’s lives through eight primary research themes:
- Destitution, Exclusion, and Strategies for Well-Being
- Education and Skills
- Labour, Employment and Wages
- Monetary Theory & Policy
- Macro-Economic Dynamics and Policy
- Macro-Economic Modelling and Forecasting
- Climate Change
- Macro-Economics of Climate Change
- Political Economy
- Productivity, Trade, and Regional Economies
Contact details
Email – [email protected]
Telephone – +44 (0)20 7222 7665
Prosperity Partnerships
Prosperity Partnerships build on existing UK strengths in industry and academia to develop new technologies, processes, and skills that will deliver economic growth and create jobs across the UK.
Contact details
Regional Impact from Science of the Environment (RISE)
The RISE program, led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), focuses on driving regional impact through collaborative environmental science efforts. It unites research organizations, businesses, and policy bodies to translate research into practical solutions for specific regions, aligning with the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
Areas of work
- Build upon the success of the Environmental Science Impact Programme.
- Focus on enhancing regional impact through advanced environmental science.
- Align with the strategic principles of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
- Emphasize the importance of “places” alongside ideas, people, infrastructure, and the business environment.
- Unite research organizations, businesses, policy bodies, and stakeholders.
- Foster collaboration to drive economic development within distinct regional contexts.
- Translate cutting-edge research into practical solutions for region-specific challenges.
Contact details
Email – [email protected]
Strength in Places Fund (SIPF)
SIPF, an innovative initiative under the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) umbrella, plays a pivotal role in catalysing the growth and potential of diverse regions across the UK. At its core, SIPF is designed to empower these regions by harnessing and amplifying their existing strengths in research and innovation. Through strategic investment and collaboration.
Areas of work
- Regional Empowerment: SIPF acknowledges the unique strengths of different regions, enabling them to embrace their distinctive research and innovation potential.
- Strategic Investment: SIPF strategically allocates funds to foster collaborative projects, fostering an environment conducive to innovation-driven growth.
- Economic Resurgence: By nurturing research and innovation ecosystems, SIPF contributes to local economic rejuvenation, creating jobs and opportunities.
- Collaborative Synergy: SIPF encourages partnerships between universities, businesses, and local entities, amplifying the impact of collective efforts.
- Sustainable Impact: SIPF’s efforts are oriented towards long-term outcomes, creating lasting benefits that contribute to the overall prosperity of regions.
Contact details
Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP)
The WCPP collaborates with leading policy experts to provide ministers, the civil service and public services with high quality evidence and independent advice that helps them to improve policy decisions and implementation outcomes.
Areas of work
Areas of work include:
- Promoting Equality
- Loneliness and Connected Communities
- Children and Families
- Economy, Decarbonisation and Skills
- Health and Social Care
- Governance and Implementation
Contact
Email – [email protected]
Telephone – 02920 875345
Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD)
WISERD is recognised as a national and interdisciplinary social science research institute. Designated by the Welsh Government as a national research centre, WISERD employs innovative approaches to conduct research across economics, sociology, geography, and political science.
Areas of work
WISERD conducts research and consultancy across diverse fields:
- Economics
- Sociology
- Geography
- Political Science
- Civil Society
- Data & Methods
- Education
- Health, Wellbeing & Social Care
- Inequalities
- Localities
- Research Networks
- Work and Labour Markets
Contact details
Email – [email protected]
Telephone – +44 (0)2920 879338
