A national network of universities committed to transforming lives and places
The Civic University Network and the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) are pioneering initiatives harnessing the collective power of the higher education sector to drive societal, economic, and environmental advancements in the places they call home.
Led by Sheffield Hallam University in partnership with a consortium of leading institutions and organisations, we help universities across the UK work for the good of their places, deepen their civic impact and amplify their contributions.
We also work with governments and strategic partners to ensure that a university’s geographic role and responsibility is used more effectively as an agent to drive positive societal change.
Upcoming and recent events
Browse and sign-up to our exciting programme of events here. Missed out? Don’t worry, we record most of our events so you can catch-up on demand.
Strengthening VCSE & Higher Education Partnerships
26 March 2025, 13:00-15:0026 March 2025
Join us for an online workshop to explore how universities can collaborate with the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise sectors.
At this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss innovative approaches to social value measurement, including proxies—practical approximations that assign value to intangible outcomes like improved well-being or cultural pride.
Becoming Civic: Reflections on the First Phase of NCIA’s Action Learning Programme
08 October 2024, 13:00-15:0008 October 2024
At this webinar, we delved into themes emerging from the NCIA’s Action Learning Programme (ALP), and some of the emerging insights we’d gathered along the way. Presented by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) and Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research.
Ready to shape the future of civic engagement?
Over two energising days, immerse yourself in thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and inspiring stories from across the sector. This is more than a conference—it’s a catalyst for new ideas, partnerships, and pathways to impact. Be part of the movement shaping the future of civic higher education.
Key Features of CiviCon25:
- Two-day programme: 14 & 15 October 2025
- Focus on tools, strategies, and partnerships for civic engagement
- Designed for university professional services staff, project and innovation officers, and civically engaged academics
- Opportunities to network, collaborate, and share best practice
- A platform to explore the latest developments in civic university work
Mark your calendar for CiviCon25 and join a community committed to transforming lives and places.
Our Latest Toolkits and Reports
Our reports and toolkits are crafted to address real-world challenges faced by universities as they navigate their civic journeys. From tackling environmental issues to building equitable partnerships, they offer actionable insights to help institutions make a tangible difference in their places.
Explore the latest resources from the Civic University Network and the National Civic Impact Accelerator designed to support universities and their partners in place to deepen their civic impact.
Equitable Partnerships for Civic Engagement
The Role of Universities in Addressing the Climate Emergency
Effective Community Engagement Toolkit
How Civic Universities Support the Government’s Five Missions
Enhancing the Student Civic Experience
Civic Impact
Our mission is to assist universities throughout the UK to establish effective collaborations with other stakeholders to benefit their local communities.
Universities can contribute to the places they call home in various ways, which we describe as the domains of Civic Impact.
We have identified seven domains of Civic Impact, and we support universities to devise and implement effective strategies to make significant, positive differences in their local communities.
Latest news
Six innovative civic projects funded through the National Civic Impact Accelerator
Six university-led partnerships will receive a share of £60,000 to advance their civic engagement initiatives thanks to innovation funding from National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) programme. The (NCIA) is ...
New Essay Collection on the Transformative Civic Role of Universities Launched in Memory of Lord Bob Kerslake
The UPP Foundation has today (Wednesday 10 July) launched a new collection of essays from leading thinkers across different sectors outlining the economic and social benefits universities have on their ...
CiviCon24: Driving Civic Engagement in Higher Education
The National Civic Impact Accelerator is thrilled to announce CiviCon24, a groundbreaking conference that will bring together leaders, professionals, and academics from across the higher education sector to explore ...
Sheffield Hallam and partners awarded £3.7m to support universities to maximise their local impact
Sheffield Hallam and its partners have been awarded £3.7m to support universities across the country to develop their civic leadership, maximising their local social and economic impact and helping to ...
Our planned outcomes
Connect with us
We’re here to support and collaborate with universities, communities, and partners who share our vision for civic engagement. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to learn more about our work, we’d love to hear from you.
Stay informed
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Get in touch
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Email Us: Reach out to our team directly at ncia@shu.ac.uk for enquiries, feedback, or opportunities.
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Join the Conversation: Follow the NCIA on LinkedIn to stay updated and engage with our latest initiatives.
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Collaborate With Us: Interested in working together? Get in touch to see how we can work together.