Sheffield Hallam University – the first host of the Civic University Network – will co-host and lead a number of events at the inaugural Civic University Network conference this week.

Press contact: Jo Beattie | j.beattie@shu.ac.uk

The creation of the Civic University Network was one of the key recommendations from the UPP Foundation’s Civic University Commission, chaired by Lord Kerslake. Sheffield Hallam University was chosen to be the first host of the Civic University Network last year following a competitive process. 

The free conference, ‘The Civic Movement – Universities working in partnership’ (18-20 May), aims to showcase the work carried out by the Network and its members over the past year – of which 115 universities are now signed up, as well as to explore key challenges and opportunities over the period ahead. The sessions will cover topics such as regional growth, sustainability, boosting educational attainment, arts and culture, Covid and the new normal, an international perspective, the NHS, and measuring civic impact. 

Confirmed Speakers include: 
• Michelle Donelan MP, Minister of State for Universities 
• Lord Karan Bilimoria, President, CBI 
• Dame Jackie Daniels, CEO, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust 
• Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester
• Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff City Council
• Professor Mary Stuart, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lincoln
• David Sweeney, Executive Chair of Research England, UKRI
• Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive, UUK
• Lord Kerslake, Chair of Civic University commission

At the first session of the Conference, chaired by Richard Brabner (Head of the UPP Foundation), it was announced that the UPP Foundation would award a £50,000 grant to the Civic University Network. This follows an initial £50,000 of seed funding provided last year to help establish the Network. The funding will support the network to build on the strong foundation it established in year one and continue to be hosted by Sheffield Hallam University.

Primarily the funding will support the Civic University Network to develop a programme of activity that will enable civic universities to lead and facilitate a green recovery on campus and within their communities.  This recognises the key role that civic universities play in combating the climate emergency, and many have laid out ambitious net zero carbon reduction targets. 

The Civic University Network conference will take place online over three days. Sessions with Sheffield Hallam involvement include: 

The civic movement: Universities working in partnership: Lord Kerslake, Chair of the Board of Governors at Sheffield Hallam, will speak at the opening conference session alongside Michelle Donelan MP (Minister of State for Universities), Lord Karan Bilimoria (President of CBI) and Professor Andy Westwood (University of Manchester), with each discussing the civic role of universities from their own perspectives. 

The role of universities in boosting educational attainment for all ages: Hosted by Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam, the session will look at how universities can contribute to improving areas with low educational attainment. Panellists include Greg Burke (Director of Sheffield Hallam’s South Yorkshire Futures programme and the Civic University Network), and Angela Foulkes (Chief Executive and Principal of the Sheffield College).

Measuring and enhancing civic impacts: Hosted by Professor Ed Ferrari, Director of Sheffield Hallam’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), this session will review approaches to capturing, measuring and enhancing the impacts that civic universities have. Panellists including Dr Julian Dobson (Research Fellow at CRESR). Dr Dobson recently wrote about the Civic Framework for ResearchProfessional.

The final session of the three days will be The importance of the Civic University Network in place based strategy. Richard Calvert, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam, and Chair of the Civic University Network Partner Group, will chair the panel, which includes Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell (Vice-Chancellor at University of Manchester), David Sweeney (Executive Chair, Research England), Dr Omar Khan (Director of TASO), and Professor Mary Stuart CBE (Vice Chancellor at University of Lincoln). The panellists will discuss the priorities and importance of the network in driving the civic mission.

Richard Calvert, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam, said: “We all face extraordinary challenges as we work through the impact of COVID, not just on us as individuals, but also on our institutions and our communities.

“I’m delighted that even in these most difficult of circumstances, we have brought together a really engaging agenda  exploring the role of civic universities. Each session brings together a set of exceptional speakers who will provide insight and challenge in equal measure, and we look forward to their input as we move into the next phase of the Network.”

Further news about the conference will be announced through the Civic University Network Twitter page.