A Civic University
In 2023 the University of Southampton signed a pledge to drive economic growth and tackle social challenges in South Hampshire. The joint commitment established a Civic University Agreement which intends to improve the quality of life for people in the city and surrounding areas by connecting communities through culture, education and enterprise.
The Future Towns Innovation Hub works alongside the Civic University Directorate to help deliver collective action toward six priority areas, which include creating more opportunities for education and new skills, reducing inequality, generating jobs and economic growth, sustainability, and investing in arts and culture.
We work with partners across the University and the region, guided by the Civic Impact Framework.
Civic impact framework
The Civic Impact Framework from the UK’s National Civic Impact Accelerator is designed to help universities demonstrate and enhance their role as civic institutions, contributing to local and regional well-being through collaboration with external partners.
This framework emphasizes universities as catalysts for regional development by creating and sustaining meaningful, measurable impact through strategic partnerships, place-based solutions, and knowledge exchange across sectors.
For the Future Towns Innovation Hub, key aspects of the framework include:
1. Collaborative Leadership
- Strategic partnerships: Universities are encouraged to take a leadership role in regional collaborations, working with local government, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Shared goals and co-design: Emphasis on co-designing initiatives with external partners to align efforts with regional needs and goals.
2. Place-based Impact
- Focus on local challenges: The framework stresses addressing specific social, economic, and environmental challenges of the university’s surrounding region. Universities are expected to support regional growth and innovation, particularly in areas such as skills development, health, sustainability, and inclusion.
- Tailored interventions: Universities should develop programs and research initiatives that are tailored to the local context, helping drive regional regeneration and resilience.
3. Knowledge Exchange and Innovation
- Cross-sector innovation: Encourages universities to act as hubs for knowledge exchange, enabling collaborative research and development with local industries and community groups to foster innovation.
- Commercialization and enterprise support: Promotes the transfer of knowledge from academia to industry, through supporting start-ups, SMEs, and larger enterprises, fostering economic impact.
4. Community Engagement and Inclusivity
- Empowering communities: The framework highlights the importance of universities being accessible to their communities, offering resources and opportunities for civic participation, such as public lectures, consultations, and skill-building workshops.
- Inclusivity and social mobility: Encourages universities to promote social inclusion and equity through widening participation, upskilling local populations, and working towards greater diversity in leadership and partnership roles.
5. Sustainability and Long-term Impact
- Sustainable outcomes: Projects are designed not just for short-term gains but to build long-term capacity and resilience in the region.
- Evaluation and measurement: The framework provides guidance on measuring and reporting civic impact, ensuring initiatives are aligned with clear objectives and can demonstrate tangible regional benefits over time.
Need help?
For assistance in shaping your project, reviewing your application draft or addressing any questions, please reach out to Ruby or Tom via the links below.