Faculty of Social Sciences News

A new report demonstrating the positive impact of social science research on the Midlands region was launched at an event hosted by the University of Birmingham, University of Warwick and Aston University on Wednesday 8 October 2025.

Social sciences in the region, for the region: the Midlands' is published by the Academy of Social Sciences, in partnership with eight Midlands-based universities. The report explores practical social science research that uses innovative, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary ways of working to bring real benefits to the region. The featured case studies, from across the different Midlands universities, highlight the vital role of higher education partnering with regional government, businesses, and communities to stimulate opportunities for growth and respond to long-standing economic and social challenges.

The event gave attendees the opportunity to delve deeper into three of the nine case studies. Professor Monder Ram from Aston University discussed the Boosting Productivity from Below project, which addresses the significant barriers to growth and productivity faced by ethnic minority owned microbusinesses. The research conducted by social scientists, in collaboration with practitioner partners and local businesses in the West Midlands, led to several programmes to support microbusinesses and interventions to promote inclusive economic growth in the region.

Professor Rebecca Riley, from the University of Birmingham, told the story of the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI). WMREDI provides evidence-led analysis of the various challenges and issues facing the West Midlands to inform and guide policy choices. This work was a collaborative effort between universities, local authorities and public bodies in the West Midlands region and has led to multi-million-pound investments boosting the regional economy in the face of challenges including Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Professor Nigel Driffield from Warwick Business School spoke about understanding the drivers of productivity and performance in the West Midlands. In 2019, labour productivity in the West Midlands was 11% below the UK average, and 33% lower than London. Following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, of the ten hardest hit districts in the UK, four were in Warwickshire. To support policymakers in addressing this productivity puzzle, Warwick Business School and the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, in collaboration with others, identified factors contributing to this productivity gap and informed interventions to boost productivity and grow the regional economy.

Professor James Hayton, Vice-Provost, Chair of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Warwick, said:

We in social science collectively help society to sense and understand problems. Social sciences emphasises the essential relational dimension of collaboration with all stakeholders. It is vital that we work to futureproof social sciences and aim to create a future rather than predict it.

Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal at the University of Birmingham, said:

This report showcases for the first time the tangible benefits of applied, collaborative, interdisciplinary social science in a regional context. The starting point is that social sciences have a unique role to play in delivering the civic mission of Universities as regional anchor institutions: to understand and improve how people live and experience their lives.

Taken together, the case studies evidence how social scientists across the Midlands are addressing socio-economic challenges including regional growth and development, workforce planning, the productivity puzzle, physical and mental health in the workplace, transportation and inequality, and poverty reduction.

The report could not be timelier because these challenges are of course among those identified as priorities for action in the West Midlands Growth Plan, launched by Mayor Richard Parker in July.”

Professor Zoe Radnor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said:

It was an absolute pleasure to co-host the event with Nick and James showcasing the brilliant place-based applied research from our three Universities. All the case studies highlighted the importance of carrying out social science research in the region for the region to address inequalities and build resilience. Importantly, to ensure we remember the human amongst the current loud voices and focus on technology and AI.

Read the full report: Social sciences in the region, for the region: the Midlands.