Innovation Network

Darren Henley CBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, addressing the Key Cities Innovation Conference at the University of Bradford, November 2024. Photo: Kiran Mehta

Key Cities Innovation Network
Civic partners shaping smarter, fairer places

The Key Cities Innovation Network (KCIN) is an independent nonprofit connecting universities, local government, parliamentarians, and civic stakeholders across the 24 cities and towns in the Key Cities group. The network currently comprises the universities of Bath Spa, Bradford, Coventry, Essex, Lancaster, Lincoln, Plymouth, Salford, South Wales, Southampton and Wrexham.

What We Do

KCIN supports and showcases work that:

• Builds collaborations in research and innovation
• Spotlights scalable local solutions
• Connects leading city-based innovators
• Champions inclusive approaches to funding and devolution
• Develops real-world demonstrators for urban and civic challenges
• Aligns with industry and funder place agendas

Influence and Impact

KCIN works closely with the Key Cities All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and Key Cities leadership to shape joint programmes.

Recent highlights include:

• Commissioned policy review on coastal communities, with academic input led by the University of Plymouth and a network-wide workshop
• APPG engagement on key policy areas: Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Housing
• Ongoing publication of peer-reviewed outputs and practical reports from place-based innovation projects

Member universities

• Participate in the Key Cities APPG as Associate Members
• Join panels, working groups, and national events (Key Cities Forum, MIPIM, UKREiiF, party conferences)
• Feature in flagship moments like our parliamentary dinner in the spring and i-PLACE, the national innovation conference, in the autumn
• Contribute to published outputs and collaborative R&I bids

i-PLACE 25

Following successful annual meetings in Bath (focusing on enterprise), Wrexham (net zero) and Bradford (culture, place and development), KCIN has this year launched i-PLACE as a unique platform for leading-edge innovators shaping new approaches to place.

i-PLACE 25, at MediaCity in Salford on 26 and 27 November, will explore how innovation districts and ecosystems help places to reinvent themselves. For more information visit www.i-place.uk.

Governance

The Board of KCIN currently comprises:

Prof. Shirley Congdon Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford (Chair)
Prof. Jane Falkingham Vice-President of the University of Southampton
Prof. Nic Beech Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford
Joanne Dobson Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University

The Advisory Board members are:

Prof. Chris White (Chair)
The Rt Hon. Charles Clarke
Prof. Rebecca Madgin
Stephen Marston
Lord Raj Loomba CBE

To find out more about the Innovation Network, please email secretariat@keycitiesinnovation.org.