What is PERN?

PERN is an academic led, multi-university network of experts in place based economic recovery, regeneration and resilience.

It was established to offer support to West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (WYMCA) / Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LCR LEP) (and other public bodies, such as local authorities) in the design, plan and implementation of COVID recovery efforts.

Read the Terms and Reference here.

West Yorkshire PERN Steering Group members:

Natalie Allen
Business Development Manager, Research & Enterprise, Leeds Beckett University

Professor Andrew Brown
Professor of Economics and Political Economy, Leeds University Business School

Professor Gary Dymski
Professor of Applied Economics, Leeds University Business School

Marc Eatough
Head of Regional Development and Engagement, University of Leeds

Patsy Gilbert
Vice Principal and Director of School of Performance, Leeds Conservatoire

Professor Jamie Morgan
Professor of Economics, Leeds Beckett University

Dr Andy Mycock
Reader in Politics and Director of External Engagement, University of Huddersfield

Claire Newhouse
Director for Regional Engagement and Impact, Leeds Trinity University

Dr Peter O’Brien
Executive Director, Yorkshire Universities

Professor Phil Purnell
Professor of Materials and Structures, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds

Dr David Spicer
Director of Business and Community Engagement, University of Bradford

Dr Richard Whittle, CAPE Regional Development Fellow

Publications & resources:

The Role of Behavioural Science in Promoting Productivity and Innovation in Regional and Local Government (September 2022)

A review of the potential of R&D tax policy to support the creative industries (May 2022)

Levelling Up Blog competitions winners (May 2022):

• Levelling up and the dangers of rebranding equality
• What on earth is ‘levelling up’?

A fair, just and long-lasting recovery for all: Forecasting and nowcasting in West Yorkshire (December 2021)

Working class voices in economic policy work:

• Report one: ‘Working class voices’ in economic policy (December 2021)
• Report two: Insight into ‘working class voices’ in economic policy (March 2022)

Joint submission with Women in Economics Research Community – to An Equal Recovery – House of Commons Treasury Select Committee Call for Evidence (Aug 2021)

Submission to the BEIS post pandemic economic growth consultation (Sept 2020)

PERN Webinar series on the West Yorkshire recovery strategy:

• The future role of towns and cities
• Clean and green recovery which also tackles the climate emergency
• Start-up and entrepreneurial innovation led recovery
• Resilient supply chains