About us
Sheffield Hallam University is proud to host the Civic University Network and the National Civic Impact Accelerator programme.
We are supported by an Advisory Panel of national stakeholders bringing strategic insight to support our work and the wider civic agenda.
Since its formation in 2020, the Civic University Network has delivered an engaging programme of events, webinars and workshops alongside its online publications sharing best practice, case studies, tools and resources in response to sector needs.
The National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA), funded by Research England, is an ambitious three-year programme to gather evidence and intelligence on impactful civic engagement, providing universities with frameworks and tools to deliver meaningful, measurable civic strategies and activities.
We empower collaborations and innovations in policy and practice to drive place-based transformations, created by equitable partnerships between universities and community/voluntary sector organisations, public services, local governments and authorities, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
How we began
In 2019, the UPP Foundation created the Civic University Commission to explore the question: how important is the civic role of universities?
The Commission produced the report: Truly Civic: Strengthening the connection between universities and their places. It recommended the establishment of a national Civic University Network to provide practical support, to support peer learning and to develop a peer review system.
In March 2020, Sheffield Hallam University was selected to host the Civic University Network, delivering a programme of events and online resources to drive university civic activity.
In 2022, following a competitive selection process, Research England/UKRI awards funding to Sheffield Hallam University to lead this ambitious three-year programme from 2023-2026.
Meet the teams
