Created in partnership eight Midlands-based universities, the report comes at a time when social, economic, health, place-based, and skills and education issues are among the most pressing in regions across the UK, and when regional development is at the heart of UK Government policy.
It exemplifies the economic, social and civic roles of Midlands universities, and in particular that of their social science faculties, as powerhouses of ideas, research, innovation and leadership that seek to understand and help to address some of the most pressing challenges in their region.
‘Social sciences in the region, for the region: the Midlands’ highlights nine examples in which deeply applied and solutions-focused social science research is using innovative, collaborative and multi-disciplinary ways to bring substantial regional benefits at scale. The examples – selected by the universities – also highlight the vital role of universities in partnering with other higher education institutions, regional government, business and communities to stimulate and capitalise on opportunities for growth while responding to long standing challenges around economic growth and productivity, and on health, wellbeing and inclusivity of workers within the region.
The report, and its recommendations, serve to reinforce to research funders, UK Government, regional administrations and university leaders the value of social science research in a region in enabling, facilitating and contributing to regional development, and of the important civic role of universities in the widest sense.
Loughborough University features in two case studies:
- Enhancing return to work processes in the Midlands region
- Using AI to provide preventable health care to people with disabilities
The research profiled highlights the benefits brought to be bear from social science knowledge, evidence and expertise, ranging from shaping policy through evidence-based data for policymakers, to creating tools and interventions for practitioners and practice that make a real difference to staff, citizens, and communities in the Midlands. These are just a small sample of the many social science research-into-evidence and research-into-practice projects that are going on in the Midlands’ universities.
Professor Justin Waring, Dean of Loughborough’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities said: “This report demonstrates how social science research from across the Midlands is addressing some of the most pressing problems facing society today. It shows how close collaboration amongst universities, regional governments, businesses and local communities can provide the foundations for truly novel, path breaking research that delivers social and economic benefits to the region and beyond.”
‘Social sciences in the region, for the region: the Midlands’ is a joint publication between the Academy of Social Sciences and Aston University, University of Birmingham, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and University of Warwick. The report showcases exemplars from a number of Midlands-based universities, demonstrating the innovative, collaborative and multi-disciplinary ways in which the social sciences are working to bring substantial regional impacts at scale in the Midlands.