• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Wednesday November 20 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

University-business partnership launched to power economic growth

A new Bristol and Bath-based data and research centre to help tackle long-term economic challenges for the South West region will be launched in April.

The creation of the Brunel Centre – created by the University of Bath with the University of the West of England and Futures West – was announced by UKRI Research England on Tuesday (November 19).

The centre will bring together businesses and universities with policymakers to support regional growth and industrial strategy, and pioneer new approaches to economic research and data analysis.

Located in Bath and Bristol, alongside a virtual data observatory, its main aims will include raising productivity, growth and innovation, and supporting key regional sectors and firms, including in clean energy, digital and data, and business services.

The Brunel Centre will support decision-makers at different levels of government to co-create private and public strategies that enable local growth planning and further devolution of power to the West of England. It will work with the combined authority, local authorities and businesses from Bristol and Bath, to Swindon and Gloucester.

The centre will receive Research England Development funding of £4.5 million over the next five years, to March 2030.

Professor Sir Steve West, vice-chancellor at the University of the West of England said: “The Brunel Centre will embed research in the heart of the West of England, delivering insights that are both practical and transformative. By uniting regional universities, businesses, and policymakers, Brunel will produce real-world data and analysis that drives local economic growth, equips people with critical skills, and ensures that research is directly beneficial to our communities.

“The Brunel Centre’s pioneering approach means our research will be able to make real-world impact. We’re breaking down barriers between sectors to build a collaborative research ecosystem. This initiative will help our regional communities grow sustainably, creating new opportunities and insights that respond directly to the needs of the West of England.”

Professor Phil Taylor, vice-chancellor and President at the University of Bath added: “The Brunel Centre presents a unique opportunity for us to combine the research and analytical strengths from our regional universities with the power of regional businesses to help inform and enhance policy and investment decisions for and about the West of England.

“I am delighted that the Centre has been funded and extend my thanks to Research England and to the team behind the bid, led by Professor Nick Pearce of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research with colleagues at UWE Bristol and Futures West. I am excited to see how the outputs from the Brunel Centre can help shape the region and benefit all of us living and working here in the years ahead.”

Sir Iain Gray, chair of Futures West added: “We are grateful that Research England has recognised the Brunel Centre’s potential. The Centre’s research will help to drive investment and initiatives that will benefit not just our region, but the wider economy too. We also thank our partners for their work on this successful bid.

“Futures West looks forward to working closely with the Centre to ensure the economic drivers of our region’s prosperity are properly understood. This includes promoting the findings to businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders. We will also build on the strengths of our relationships across the private sector to ensure the Centre’s research programmes are relevant and impactful.”

Stephen Peacock, chief executive of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “This £4.5 million research funding boost for our universities is really good news for the West of England. Our new partnership will help keep us at the forefront of research into ways to foster a sustainable and inclusive economy.

“Economic growth is a top priority for the region and our Mayor, Dan Norris. We look forward to working closely with the Brunel Centre as it generates new insights which can help us better target our investment in areas that make the biggest positive difference to the West of England.”

In advance of the opening of the Brunel Centre in April, the team behind the bid will play a key role in the upcoming Festival of Flourishing Regions, run by Futures West taking place in January 2025.

Image by Sharon Steeples published under creative Commons licence