Research Strategy
Our mission
Our mission is to deliver the evidence and insight that powers sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the West of England.
Our work
Our work is rooted in the belief that economic progress must benefit all communities, address structural inequalities and support the transition to a greener future.
The challenge
The West of England faces a complex set of interlinked challenges:
Persistent barriers to productivity growth
Skills shortages and economic inactivity
Rapid population growth and high living costs
Transport congestion and high levels of car dependency
Deep-rooted inequalities, including some of the UK’s most deprived communities experiencing limited access to education, employment and healthcare
Our Strategic Research Programme
To address these challenges, our core research programme is focused on unlocking productivity in ways that improve quality of life and wellbeing for all. We will deliver actionable insights across five interconnected themes:
1. A Thriving Business Ecosystem
We will explore the drivers of investment, innovation, and growth to help build a dynamic, productive and competitive regional economy.
2. An Inclusive and Resilient Labour Market
Our research will deepen understanding of skills, education, employment, and economic inactivity to support long-term workforce resilience and opportunity.
3. Unlocking Opportunity for All
We will investigate the needs of our diverse population and the structural factors behind inequality, enabling targeted interventions that promote social mobility and wellbeing.
4. A Sustainable Economic Transition
We will provide robust evidence on the environmental impact of the regional economy and identify pathways to a socially-just, low-carbon, nature-positive future.
5. A Prosperous Built Environment
We will examine housing, transport, and digital infrastructure as a route to drive productivity, enable inclusive growth and in support of the wellbeing of our population and the natural environment.
