The capital, a vibrant and complex ecosystem, is home to over 100 universities, a diverse array of institutions ranging from specialist colleges to large, multi-faculty universities, private institutions and International outposts, spread across 33 local authorities (32 boroughs and the City of London) and overseen by the Greater London Authority (GLA), under the leadership of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. These universities contribute significantly to the city's social, economic, and cultural fabric.
A consistent theme emerges when delving into the meaning of a 'civic university' in London: there's no single, definitive answer. The very essence of 'civic' is diluted when uniform definition is imposed, neglecting the unique, place-specific contexts and the intricate relationships universities cultivate with their communities. For some, civic engagement manifests as formal agreements at the borough level, while for others, it encompasses grassroots collaborations, diversified supply chains, interfaith dialogues, community festivals, and policy advice to local and regional councils.
London Anchor Institutions' Network Steering Committee
Navigating a complex policy, political, and funding landscape, higher education institutions in London are increasingly required to address numerous demands. Universities must engage broadly to align with the London Growth Plan, Industrial Strategy, and Secretary of State's education priorities, delivering rapid local impact despite complex stakeholder landscapes including the GLA, London Councils, five Integrated Care Boards, 18 NHS Trusts, and numerous other entities. The London Higher Civic Map, featuring over 300 case studies, demonstrates the sector's commitment and impact. This platform serves as a vital resource, highlighting the significant contributions of higher education to the city.
The London Higher Civic Network plays a crucial role in bridging the gaps between often siloed departments and institutions within London's higher education sector. It strategically connects professionals, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where best practices are shared, and collective challenges are addressed. This inter-institutional collaboration is essential for maximising the civic impact of London's universities. The network actively facilitates opportunities for its members to engage with influential regional, national, and international players in the civic field. By inviting speakers from organisations such as the GLA, the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), Centre for London, and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), alongside other national and international experts, the network provides a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative dialogue.
As a membership organisation representing our world-leading higher education sector, it is vital that we can harness the collective strength and engage with counterparts at citywide level, complementing the hyper-local work undertaken by members. For London Higher, this means being a proud and active member of the London Anchor Institutions' Network (LAIN). We actively engage with counterparts at a citywide level, complementing local work. This involvement drives progress and meaningful change for Londoners in key areas such as procurement, skills, and sustainability. LAIN delivers systemic civic change, reporting to the Mayor's London Partnership Board, and in five years has secured £1.75bn in SME contracts, 7,200+ London Living Wage uplifts, 4,000+ apprenticeships, and £2m in levy transfers, demonstrating the potential for universities to drive positive change at scale.
This strategic convening enables London's universities to remain at the forefront of civic innovation, learn from diverse perspectives and forge powerful partnerships. This inter-institutional collaboration is exemplified by the network's close partnership with LAIN. Through this partnership, the network has facilitated the implementation of agreements that promote strategic collaboration with local anchor institutions, demonstrating the ability to translate collaborative vision into tangible outcomes. At times, borough-level agreements in London are comparable in size to other UK regions – take the collaboration between London Metropolitan University, Queen Mary University of London, and the University of East London. Through their health determinants research collaboration (HDRC) work in Tower Hamlets, this partnership work will impact c.325,000 residents – larger than Newcastle. By facilitating these partnerships, the network empowers universities to play a more impactful civic role, contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of London's communities.
Islington Anchor Network
Other examples of this collaborative approach can be seen in initiatives such as joint research projects tackling air pollution or homelessness, and coordinated university responses to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, universities collaborate on initiatives promoting student civic engagement, fostering a culture of active citizenship. These examples illustrate how the London Higher Civic Network facilitates tangible collaboration, leading to greater civic impact.
The scale of civic engagement in London presents complexities but also opportunities to impact numerous lives. London universities are actively participating in national initiatives, taking on leadership roles as well as members being involved in key national programmes such as the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP), the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) and the National Civic University Network. This national involvement allows London to learn from and contribute to best practices in civic engagement, which can then be tailored and implemented within the city. This national perspective is particularly important in light of the London Growth Plan (LGP), which emphasises the importance of driving regional growth and leveraging devolution to empower local communities. By participating in national discussions, London universities can ensure that their civic engagement strategies are aligned with national priorities, ultimately contributing to the city's sustainable and equitable development. Sir Keir Starmer's growth priority highlights universities' role beyond R&D, focusing on their impact as employers, talent pipelines, and anchor institutions within regional economic policy.
The Civic Map was created to demonstrate the diverse, place-based activities undertaken by London's universities, showcasing their contributions to local communities. It is a living resource, continuously updated to reflect evolving needs and to identify cold spots for targeted intervention. The map has been recognised by UNESCO as an exemplar of cross-sector higher education collaboration.
Addressing these cold spots is a strategic imperative; these areas represent gaps in collaboration and service provision that, if left unaddressed, can perpetuate inequalities and hinder regional growth. By identifying and targeting these cold spots, the network can facilitate the pooling of resources, expertise, and innovative approaches from across its member institutions, ensuring that critical needs within London's communities are met. This targeted approach not only maximises the impact of universities' civic engagement efforts but also contributes to a more equitable distribution of opportunities and resources throughout the city, ultimately fostering a stronger, more resilient London through strategic partnerships, addressing key challenges such as skills gaps, social inequalities, and environmental sustainability.
Given the complexity and scale of London, the role of strong regional networks and membership bodies are crucial in facilitating dialogue and mobilising change. It allows policymakers and organisations such as local authorities to effectively engage with the entire sector. Moving forward, the London Higher Civic Network will continue to expand its collaborative initiatives, focusing on strategic partnerships that align with the London Growth Plan and national priorities, ensuring that London's universities remain at the forefront of the city's civic leadership and impact.
The capital, a vibrant and complex ecosystem, is home to over 100 universities, a diverse array of institutions ranging from specialist colleges to large, multi-faculty universities, private institutions and International outposts, spread across 33 local authorities (32 boroughs and the City of London) and overseen by the Greater London Authority (GLA), under the leadership of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. These universities contribute significantly to the city's social, economic, and cultural fabric.
A consistent theme emerges when delving into the meaning of a 'civic university' in London: there's no single, definitive answer. The very essence of 'civic' is diluted when uniform definition is imposed, neglecting the unique, place-specific contexts and the intricate relationships universities cultivate with their communities. For some, civic engagement manifests as formal agreements at the borough level, while for others, it encompasses grassroots collaborations, diversified supply chains, interfaith dialogues, community festivals, and policy advice to local and regional councils.
London Anchor Institutions' Network Steering Committee
Navigating a complex policy, political, and funding landscape, higher education institutions in London are increasingly required to address numerous demands. Universities must engage broadly to align with the London Growth Plan, Industrial Strategy, and Secretary of State's education priorities, delivering rapid local impact despite complex stakeholder landscapes including the GLA, London Councils, five Integrated Care Boards, 18 NHS Trusts, and numerous other entities. The London Higher Civic Map, featuring over 300 case studies, demonstrates the sector's commitment and impact. This platform serves as a vital resource, highlighting the significant contributions of higher education to the city.
The London Higher Civic Network plays a crucial role in bridging the gaps between often siloed departments and institutions within London's higher education sector. It strategically connects professionals, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where best practices are shared, and collective challenges are addressed. This inter-institutional collaboration is essential for maximising the civic impact of London's universities. The network actively facilitates opportunities for its members to engage with influential regional, national, and international players in the civic field. By inviting speakers from organisations such as the GLA, the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), Centre for London, and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), alongside other national and international experts, the network provides a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative dialogue.
As a membership organisation representing our world-leading higher education sector, it is vital that we can harness the collective strength and engage with counterparts at citywide level, complementing the hyper-local work undertaken by members. For London Higher, this means being a proud and active member of the London Anchor Institutions' Network (LAIN). We actively engage with counterparts at a citywide level, complementing local work. This involvement drives progress and meaningful change for Londoners in key areas such as procurement, skills, and sustainability. LAIN delivers systemic civic change, reporting to the Mayor's London Partnership Board, and in five years has secured £1.75bn in SME contracts, 7,200+ London Living Wage uplifts, 4,000+ apprenticeships, and £2m in levy transfers, demonstrating the potential for universities to drive positive change at scale.This strategic convening enables London's universities to remain at the forefront of civic innovation, learn from diverse perspectives and forge powerful partnerships. This inter-institutional collaboration is exemplified by the network's close partnership with LAIN. Through this partnership, the network has facilitated the implementation of agreements that promote strategic collaboration with local anchor institutions, demonstrating the ability to translate collaborative vision into tangible outcomes. At times, borough-level agreements in London are comparable in size to other UK regions – take the collaboration between London Metropolitan University, Queen Mary University of London, and the University of East London. Through their health determinants research collaboration (HDRC) work in Tower Hamlets, this partnership work will impact c.325,000 residents – larger than Newcastle. By facilitating these partnerships, the network empowers universities to play a more impactful civic role, contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of London's communities.
Islington Anchor Network
Other examples of this collaborative approach can be seen in initiatives such as joint research projects tackling air pollution or homelessness, and coordinated university responses to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, universities collaborate on initiatives promoting student civic engagement, fostering a culture of active citizenship. These examples illustrate how the London Higher Civic Network facilitates tangible collaboration, leading to greater civic impact.
The scale of civic engagement in London presents complexities but also opportunities to impact numerous lives. London universities are actively participating in national initiatives, taking on leadership roles as well as members being involved in key national programmes such as the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP), the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) and the National Civic University Network. This national involvement allows London to learn from and contribute to best practices in civic engagement, which can then be tailored and implemented within the city. This national perspective is particularly important in light of the London Growth Plan (LGP), which emphasises the importance of driving regional growth and leveraging devolution to empower local communities. By participating in national discussions, London universities can ensure that their civic engagement strategies are aligned with national priorities, ultimately contributing to the city's sustainable and equitable development. Sir Keir Starmer's growth priority highlights universities' role beyond R&D, focusing on their impact as employers, talent pipelines, and anchor institutions within regional economic policy.The Civic Map was created to demonstrate the diverse, place-based activities undertaken by London's universities, showcasing their contributions to local communities. It is a living resource, continuously updated to reflect evolving needs and to identify cold spots for targeted intervention. The map has been recognised by UNESCO as an exemplar of cross-sector higher education collaboration.
Addressing these cold spots is a strategic imperative; these areas represent gaps in collaboration and service provision that, if left unaddressed, can perpetuate inequalities and hinder regional growth. By identifying and targeting these cold spots, the network can facilitate the pooling of resources, expertise, and innovative approaches from across its member institutions, ensuring that critical needs within London's communities are met. This targeted approach not only maximises the impact of universities' civic engagement efforts but also contributes to a more equitable distribution of opportunities and resources throughout the city, ultimately fostering a stronger, more resilient London through strategic partnerships, addressing key challenges such as skills gaps, social inequalities, and environmental sustainability.
Given the complexity and scale of London, the role of strong regional networks and membership bodies are crucial in facilitating dialogue and mobilising change. It allows policymakers and organisations such as local authorities to effectively engage with the entire sector. Moving forward, the London Higher Civic Network will continue to expand its collaborative initiatives, focusing on strategic partnerships that align with the London Growth Plan and national priorities, ensuring that London's universities remain at the forefront of the city's civic leadership and impact.
