1. The Impact Initiative Ursula Kelly University of Strathclyde
ESRC Festival of Social Science Seminar
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
12th March 2010
Ursula Kelly
University of Strathclyde
Joint Coordinator, with Professor Peter McGregor, of the Impact of Higher Education Institutions on regional economies initiative

2. Outline
Introduction – importance of research on the economic and social role of higher education
Economic significance of Higher Education Institutions in Yorkshire and the Humber
Overview of the Impact Initiative

3. Importance of research on higher education’s social and economic role
Research on aspects of the economic role of HE going back to the 1990s.
Increasing interest from policy makers and funders in how higher education can contribute to the economy and society , seeking evidence of ‘Impact’
- To evaluate return on public investment
- To assist in resource allocation
- To enable evaluation of efficiency and effectiveness
Y & H HEIs are large organisations, operating as charities in the not for profit sector
They are large employers and also important service sector export earners
Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs) have a primary mission to undertake teaching and research
But they also engage in many other activities, extensively collaborating with business, the public sector and the third sector ( charities) as well as working with schools and colleges
Traditionally HEIs have not always been good at explaining the very wide range of things they do and the value that they bring to the economy and society
But Higher education can play a significant role in supporting the economic, social and cultural life of the UK

4. Higher Education Institutions in Yorkshire and the Humber
Around 192,000 HE students
Providing 27,719 FTE ( full time equivalent) jobs
Annual Turnover: £1.8 billion
65% income from Public Sector 35% from the private sector and international sources
HEI export earnings: £216 million
Over 26,600 international students attracted, spending over £181 million outside the universities
Source: Derived from HESA ‘Resources of Higher Education Institutions 2007/08’
Notes: Not including Open University
Around 192,000 HE students in Y & H
Y & H HEIs are large organisations, operating as charities in the not for profit sector
They are large employers and also important service sector export earners
Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs) have a primary mission to undertake teaching and research
But they also engage in many other activities, extensively collaborating with business, the public sector and the third sector ( charities) as well as working with schools and colleges
Traditionally HEIs have not always been good at explaining the very wide range of things they do and the value that they bring to the economy and society
But Higher education can play a significant role in supporting the economic, social and cultural life of the UK
Across all skill levels

5. Yorkshire & the Humber Higher Education Institutions: Income
Source: Derived from HESA ‘Resources of Higher Education Institutions 2007/08’’

6. Jobs (FTE) generated

7. Yorkshire & the Humber HEIs: Output generated

8. The ‘Impact’ Initiative – UK wide initiative lasting 3 years
Jointly Funded & Peer Reviewed Research initiative
Not commissioned consultancy
9 different projects involving researchers from over 17 universities spread across the UK
Coordinated by the University of Strathclyde

9. Initiative Objectives
To advance understanding of the social and economic impact of higher education institutions on their regions
For research funded by the initiative to inform future policy formulation by range of stakeholders
Seeking holistic approach, covering a range of different aspects of higher education and its contribution to both the economy and society. Four broad themes:
- Regional Competitiveness
- Students and graduates
- University-Business Links
- Social and community engagement
- Plus the overall impact project

10. Timescales Six projects finished. Some still in ‘writing up’ stage.
Investigating business-university innovation linkages (Simpson et al, IFS)
The Impact of economics and quality of life on graduate flows (Cowling et al, IES)
Students as Catalysts of City and Regional Growth (Munro et al, Glasgow)
Impact of Research and Innovation Networks on regional competitiveness (Howells et al, Manchester)
University-Industry Knowledge Exchange (Kitson et al Cambridge)
Three projects finishing Spring 2010
HE and regional transformation (the HEART) project (Brennan et al, Open University)
HEI Knowledge and regional competitiveness (Huggins et al, Cardiff)
Universities and community engagement (Benneworth et al, Newcastle)
One project finishing Summer 2010
The overall Impact of higher education institutions (McGregor et al, Strathclyde)

11. Where we are now Outputs flowing from the projects
Today we are launching new ‘User-friendly’ research brief series - 4 today, many more to follow
Major Conference debating all of the issues surrounding HEIs and economic and social Impact to be held this November 16th and 17th in Edinburgh.
All welcome
Emerging findings include, for example:
- results from first ever UK wide survey of academics’ engagement with business, public sector and third sector (debunking the myth of the ‘ ivory tower’ ( Kitson et al)
- Evidence that collaborations between firms and universities can have a strong positive effect on the innovation capacity of firms ( Howells et al)