How to revive left-behind regions explored in ‘Levelling-Up’ events

29 October 2021

Regional Levelling Up Adobe Stock 208652161
Closing the gaps between economic strongholds and left-behind places is major policy challenge for nations around the world.

The UK has one of the highest levels of regional inequality of any developed country in the world and “levelling-up” has become a centerpiece of the UK Government’s current policy agenda.

From Tuesday 9th November, the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford will host a series of events bringing together an outstanding group of academics, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss the role of the private sector, the public sector, and educational and social institutions in making levelling-up a reality.

Curated by the lead researchers on the Oxford Martin Initiative on Regional Levelling-Up, Professor Sir Paul Collier and Professor Colin Meyer CBE, it will look at big picture issues like the systematic challenges of capitalism and Britain’s skills-crisis as well as focusing in on specific cases such as Sheffield and Grimsby. By taking both a macro and micro view of left-behind places the events will give key insights into this issue, which is an important challenge for nations throughout the developed world.

Confirmed speakers in the series 'Levelling-Up: Regional Disparities, Inequality and Social Inclusion’ include:

  • Dan Jarvis MBE, MP for Barnsley Central and Mayor of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (formerly known as the Sheffield City Region)
  • Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times
  • Dr Hilary Cottam OBE, author and social entrepreneur
  • Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University
  • Baroness Wolf of Dulwich, Sir Roy Griffiths Professor of Public Sector Management at King's College London
  • Professor Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge

In the first event on Tuesday 9th November at 5pm, Laxman Narasimhan, CEO of Reckitt Benckiser and Professor Colin Meyer will discuss The role of business in reviving left-behind places’. Limited in-person seating for the event is available in the Oxford Martin School lecture theatre, or anyone is welcome to attend as an interactive online event.

Another hybrid event, Britain's long-running 'skills crisis': why can't we fix it? and what would it take to do so? will be held the same week on Thursday 11th November.

Further events continue throughout the University term, with the last event scheduled for 9th December.