This article was originally published by the Yorkshire Policy Engagement Research Network (Y-PERN).
Major regional summit showcases innovative partnership model driving economic growth and social impact across Yorkshire and Humber
The Yorkshire & Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN) successfully hosted its 2025 conference at the University of Huddersfield, bringing together leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners to forge new pathways for evidence-based regional development. Welcoming approximately 200 delegates, the day-long summit featured high-profile speakers including Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire; Professor Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Huddersfield; Harpreet Uppal MP; and conference chair Kersten England MBE, Engagement Director for Y-PERN.
Devolution Creates New Opportunities for Academic-Policy Partnership
Opening the morning sessions, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin emphasized devolution’s transformative potential, noting:
“Our 12 fantastic higher education institutions are working hand-in-glove with our innovative businesses to forge our own future.”
The first roundtable brought together Dave Petley, University of Hull VC and Chair of Yorkshire Universities; Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council; Kate Josephs, CEO of Sheffield City Council; and Mark Casci, Head of Policy and Representation at West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce to explore how devolved powers are creating unprecedented opportunities for regional academic engagement.
Kate Josephs, CEO from Sheffield City Council said:
“I think what devolution offers is a new opportunity for universities partnering with local governments, with regional governments, with businesses, with other educational institutions to really start to weave together a programme of research that can be practical, that can change things and that have even greater impact.”
Real-World Collaboration in Action
The second session of the conference focused on how real-world collaboration can drive regional growth and impact. Speakers discussed the significance of places, and partnerships in driving policy change, and the importance of sharing lessons learned and strategies for building stronger collaborations. It was chaired by Natalie Allen, Head of Business Partnerships within Research and Enterprise Services at Leeds Beckett University, and speakers included Peter O’Brien, Executive Director at Yorkshire Universities; Kate Mieske, Director of Insight at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA); Dr. Jatinder Singh Mehmi, Commissioner at the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission; and Robin Tuddenham, CEO of Calderdale Council.
Tackling Regional Challenges Together
Interactive Workshops proved particularly dynamic as stakeholders collaborated on pressing regional issues including early years and childcare, community engagement, business support, and housing security.
Looking to the Future
The closing panel, “Where Next? The Future of Regional Policy Engagement,” brought together Kersten England CBE, Sarah Chaytor, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN); Prof. Rebecca Riley, Co-Director of the City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI), Jon Gleek, Head of Service – Policy, Insight and Change at Doncaster Council; and Kayleigh Renberg-Fawcett, Programme Manager, Y-PERN. The panel emphasized how Y-PERN utilizes the expertise and skills of the region’s 15,000 academics to tackle local challenges while also exploring how Yorkshire’s model could inform both regional and national engagement strategies.
Celebrating Impact
The conference showcased Y-PERN’s track record of successful initiatives, including the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP) and Yorkshire & Humber Office for Data Analytics (YHODA), demonstrating the network’s ability to create lasting institutional innovations that benefit the region.
- Y-PERN has recently published their Impact Report which showcases three years of collaboration between Yorkshire and the Humber’s universities and policymakers that has transformed evidence-based decision-making.
About Y-PERN
The Yorkshire & Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN), funded by Research England, employs a collaborative approach to enhance academic policy engagement and research across the region. The network fulfils commitments outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between Yorkshire Universities and Yorkshire and Humber Councils, playing a vital role in advancing research-informed policy development throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region.
