Yorkshire and Humber Councils has committed £150,000 over three years to support the next phase of the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN).
The investment will support the continued strategic coordination of Y-PERN, and the widening and deepening of the relationships between policymakers and analysis, data, and evidence in the region. As a key priority in the Yorkshire Universities (YU) and Yorkshire and Humber Councils Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the next phase will build on Y-PERN’s success by enabling local and mayoral authorities to have direct access to the wide range of research expertise that exists in Yorkshire’s universities.
Sarah Norman, Chief Executive, Barnsley Council and Lead Chief Executive for Yorkshire and Humber Councils said:
“Yorkshire and Humber Councils is proud to be investing £150,000 over the next three years in the next phase of Y-PERN. This investment demonstrates the value we place on our partnership with Yorkshire Universities and our shared commitment to ensuring that policymaking across the region is informed by high-quality evidence and research. As devolution creates new opportunities and responsibilities for places, the ability to work together on a Yorkshire and Humber footing has never been more important. Y-PERN is a powerful example of that collaboration in action, helping local authorities, combined authorities and universities come together to address shared challenges and opportunities for the benefit of communities across the region.”
Dr Peter O’Brien, YU Executive Director said:
“Y-PERN has proved to be a valuable network, enabling greater collaboration between our universities and local and regional government to support inclusive, place-based policymaking across Yorkshire. In the current policy environment, and with the complex opportunities and challenges facing the region’s leaders, this type of initiative will become even more important. I am grateful to Yorkshire and Humber Councils for illustrating, through this funding, the value they attach to their relationship with higher education.”
Capacity and leadership support for Y-PERN will be provided by YU and its member institutions. This includes the appointment of Claire Smithson as Y-PERN Network Coordinator based in the YU Executive Team, who will support the network.
Speaking on her appointment, Claire Smithson, Y-PERN Network Coordinator said:
“I am delighted to be joining Yorkshire Universities at such a crucial time for Y-PERN and for partnership working across the region. I look forward to coordinating the network as we enter this new phase and working closely with our partners to strengthen research-policy engagement.”
John Edwards, Chief Executive, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Lead Chief Executive for Higher Education Engagement said:
“The appointment of Claire Smithson as Y-PERN Network Coordinator is an important milestone for a partnership that has already delivered significant benefits for Yorkshire and the Humber. Through initiatives such as the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership, Y-PERN has strengthened the relationship between higher education and policymakers, helping ensure that academic expertise can be translated into practical action. Importantly, this collaboration supports the whole region, including places with and without a university presence, enabling councils and communities across Yorkshire and the Humber to benefit from the knowledge, innovation and research strengths of our universities.’’
Background
Y-PERN was established in 2022 with a £3.9 million UKRI Research England Development (RED) Fund grant. The network was developed under the inaugural MoU between YU and YHC, signed in 2021. To date, Y-PERN has drawn over £10 million into Yorkshire to support academic, policy and community co-creation and implementation of research across a broad spectrum of economic, social and environmental themes. This includes a £5 million award to establish the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP) to test and trial innovative approaches to place-based and community research.
