In this blog, we introduce interviews and a suite of reports in which you can learn more about the Smart Specialisation Hub’s work and legacy.
History of the Smart Specialisation Hub
The Smart Specialisation Hub‘s remit was to provide robust, impartial evidence to showcase a region’s innovation activities, strengths and capabilities across several sectors and industries.
They have undertaken research, advised on national policy drivers and strategic fit, worked with Government and partners and constantly improved the analysis they provide.
The Smart Specialisation Hub worked with the 38 Local Enterprise partnerships (LEPs) in England, Mayoral Combined Authorities and across the Devolved Administrations, to add to the work already done as part of the innovation process and make it place-based, working to give forward guidance and useful place-specific information to each local area.
Interview 1: Smart Specialisation Methodologies, Brexit, and more
With the Smart Specialisation Hub project drawing to a close, the Head of the Hub, Ross Burton, and its Head of Policy, Andrew Basu-McGowan, discuss the ongoing relevance of Smart Specialisation methodologies in the context of the UK’s departure from the EU; the need to apply rational prioritisation to the development of place-based strategies, including Local Industrial Strategies; and the future of local and regional economic and policy leadership.
To listen to the recording (15 minutes), click here.
Interview 2: Analysis and Productivity Workshops, and lessons learned
In this discussion, two of our Stakeholder Engagement Managers for the Smart Specialisation Hub, Mairi Dillon and Mark Matchett, reflect on the recent Analysis and Productivity workshops that took place in Leeds, Birmingham and London. They also recall key challenges and lessons learned while engaging with Local Enterprise Partnerships across England as they work to complete their Local Industrial Strategies.
To listen to the recording (15 minutes), click here.
Smart Specialisation Publications
The Smart Specialisation Hub has a list of publications to download and view here: https://smartspecialisationhub.org/publications/