The Higher Education Commission's inquiry into university research and its role in tackling regional economy inequality will hold its third evidence session on Thursday 13th May.

The session will be co-chaired by the Rt. Hon. Chris Skidmore MP, former Universities Minister, and Lord Norton of Louth.

This evidence session will investigate the regional disparities in research and development – focusing on how these inequalities can be addressed to help ‘level up’ regional economies throughout the UK. We will look into the vital role universities can play in helping to build capacity for R&D and increase economic development. The evidence session will also examine the importance of knowledge exchange to increasing regional economic growth, by enabling greater collaboration and commercialisation of the UK’s world-leading research output. 

Key witnesses giving evidence include:

• Steve Foxley: Chief Executive, AMRC
• David Sweeney: Executive Chair, Research England
• Jessica Bowles: Director of Strategy, Bruntwood
• Dr Victoria Moody: Director of Research & Innovation Sector Strategy, Jisc
• Richard Jones: Professor of Materials Physics & Innovation Policy, University of Manchester
• Dr Jonathan Hague: Vice President Science & Technology, Unilever

The session will be broadcast publicly as a webinar, and interested parties are welcome to register to observe the session.

To ask any questions about the inquiry or to let us know accessibility requirements for the session, please contact daniel.monaghan [at] policyconnect.org.uk (Daniel Monaghan).