This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License Newcastle University ePrints-eprint.ncl.ac.uk Goddard J, Coombes M, Kempton L, Vallance P. Universities as anchor institutions in cities in a turbulent funding environment: vulnerable institutions and vulnerable places in England.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Over the last decades, the role, scale and mission of higher education has been transformed, from institutions which were attended by a small intellectual or social elite to a situation where attendance is more or less obligatory for the vast majority of people in order to successfully sustain most occupations and uphold democratic civil society. New institutional models have evolved and are still evolving in response to a myriad of drivers, including understanding of knowledge and modes of creation and dissemination, and societal and labour market requirements. Indeed, the positioning of knowledge as the foundation of economic, social and political power has put greater focus on higher education institutions (HEIs) placing them at the centre of policy-making. And because higher education is one of the most internationalised sectors of society, global factors are increasingly paramount. Thus higher education is, of necessity, becoming increasingly complex, combining attributes of being a peopleprocessing institution with a knowledge-producing mission (Gumport, 2000), with national and geopolitical characteristics and implications. Within the European Union many actions and deliberations are focused on mobilising and harnessing the full potential of universities to underpin Europe's economic recovery, and future economic and social development. Because higher education has become a barometer of national and institutional competitiveness, global rankings of universities have assumed disproportionate significance (Hazelkorn, 2015). Universities are continually measured, and funded, according to indicators based primarily around academic prestige. In doing so, higher education policy has unwittingly promoted a model of university disconnected from the nation-state and constituent cities and regions as it concentrates on diversifying and privatising its funding base, recruiting talent internationally and engaging globally.
The recent wave of populism has focused attention on ‘left behind’ places as hotspots of discontent. Seeking to remedy their neglect in urban and regional studies, the aim of this paper is to engage with the problems of ‘left behind’ places and to stimulate fresh thinking about alternative approaches. Reflecting the complex and inter-connected issues facing such places, it argues that a new conception is required to address issues of belonging and attachment. The paper outlines the basis of an expanded neo-endogenous development approach, identifying the foundational economy, income and livelihoods, social infrastructures and social innovation as key policy concerns.
Successful mobilization of the resources of universities can have a positive effect on regional economies; even more so in peripheral regions. The role of universities in regional development, innovation and growth comes into even sharper focus with the emergence of 'smart specialization' strategies, an ex-ante conditionality for accessing European Structural Funds from 2014. However, partnerships between universities and regions can fail to achieve their early ambitions, often due to a lack of understanding of each side's drivers and barriers for cooperation. The collaboration between Region Värmland and Karlstad University in Sweden demonstrates a systemic and broad-based view of innovation that fits well within the policy framework of European and national innovation strategies. While recognizing the complexities and tensions inherent in such collaborations, this case study provides valuable insights for other European universities, regions and policy-makers in peripheral places that are seeking to work more closely to support smart specialization.
ISBN 978 1 78471 771 1 (cased) ISBN 978 1 78471 772 8 (eBook)
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