Civic 2:0 is a programme to engage national and regional policymakers in the economic and social role higher education institutions play in their towns, cities and regions. The programme aims to help politicians and policy makers come up with policies and incentives which enable this positive role to expand, helping the social and economic development of towns and cities up and down the country.
Over the next three years, the programme will focus on a small number of themes and include specific practical policy recommendations to politicians and policy makers.
The programme builds on the success of the civic university movement, which was revitalised in 2018-19 by the Civic University Commission. The Commission led to over 70 universities developing Civic University Agreements co-produced with their local authorities to focus on the issues which really mattered to their local communities. It also led to the creation of the Civic University Network and NCIA, which supported best practice across the sector. Civic 2:0 is an attempt to have as much impact on policy making as the movement has had on good practice within universities.
Objectives
There are several interrelated objectives, including:
- To identify evidence and achieve no more than five signature policy shifts that require cross-Whitehall coordination to ensure universities are enabled to deliver the Government’s imperative for both civic and growth missions.
- To provide the higher education sector with additional momentum, leadership and representation on this agenda – ensuring greater visibility of the civic agenda, highlighting excellent practice, developing spokespeople and case-studies for policy makers to engage with, to facilitate greater engagement between university leaders and national/ regional policymakers.
- Ensure the civic agenda remains a priority for Vice-Chancellors and other C-Suite leaders in the higher education sector.
- Over time to develop a long-term financial and membership model for Civic 2 through further support from universities, foundations and government partners for the Civic 2.0 initiatives.
Through the above, secure observable, meaningful change in how the UK’s universities deliver their civic mission – enabling the UK higher education sector to become an international exemplar in this space and helping to ensure that universities are seen to be relevant, accountable and responsive to the Government, their local communities and economies.
The team
The funders of the programme include some of the founding university partners from the Civic University Network including Birmingham, Newcastle and Queen Mary, alongside regional research organisation Midlands Innovation.
The founding funders will be seeking additional partners to the campaign as the programme progresses, while developing a long-term plan for financial sustainability and membership.
Former Executive Chair of the UPP Foundation Richard Brabner, has been appointed to lead a three-year programme. As the Director of the programme Brabner has been appointed a LPIP Fellow at the University of Birmingham and a Visiting Professor of Civic Engagement at Newcastle University.