MI Review of 2024

As we come to the end of 2024, I am filled with pride reflecting on the achievements and progress made by the partnership over the year. 2024 has certainly been a challenging year, with significant changes in the political landscape, and the HE sector facing into a period of turbulence. Despite these hurdles, I’m pleased that our partnership has remained steadfast in its commitment to collaboration. We have maintained a collective strategic focus that has allowed us to contribute to important conversations and respond effectively to change. 

Powering Growth 

The UK economy and regional growth have been key themes this year, both in the general election and beyond. When it comes to the UK economy, one thing that the two main political parties seem to agree on is that they want to see more growth – something which has been stubbornly difficult to achieve for quite some time. That is why Midlands Innovation partners united to host fringe events at both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, where mayors and a shadow minister praised the role universities play in driving regional economic growth. These discussions shone a spotlight some of our initiatives, including Midlands Mindforge and our work in stimulating Foreign Direct Investment.  

The Invest in UK R&D: Midlands campaign, co-led by Midlands Innovation and the Midlands Engine Partnership, kicked off the year by launching a new creative and digital investment prospectus, showcasing regional strengths in this sector. This was followed by the official launch of our £3m international campaign to drive inward investment into R&D at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The project has united seventeen universities from across the Midlands, leveraging collective global connections to raise the profile of our region and drive economic growth.  

I was delighted to be part of the UK’s first-ever university R&D overseas investment mission, travelling to the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). It was inspiring to witness partners responding so positively to the initiative and working collectively to represent the region. By working together, we had a much greater impact than we could have working as individual institutions. The trip was at the beginning of a series of outbound missions that has included visits to Birmingham Tech Week and MEDICA in Düsseldorf, Germany to date. Over the next two years, the campaign will continue to raise the profile of our R&D capabilities across the globe, with outbound visits to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, South by South West in Austin Texas and MIPIM, Cannes up next in 2025.

Energy at the forefront 

The Energy Research Accelerator demonstrated its influence on national energy policy by launching a policy commission assessing the case for publicly owned energy. Unveiled at the House of Lords in January, the commission examined Labour’s proposal for establishing GB Energy. Several of the report recommendations were included in the manifestos of both Labour and the Liberal Democrats. The government has already announced some of these, including establishing a net-zero delivery unit to oversee the delivery of energy projects and targets (Mission Control for Net-Zero). 

The ERA conference at Cranfield University explored the role that energy innovation is playing in achieving Net-Zero and UK-EU Hydrogen summits in both London and Brussels brought together key figures to exchange knowledge and explore ideas for hydrogen collaboration between Europe and the United Kingdom. 

HyDEX also made significant inroads by launching a hydrogen toolkit aimed at helping Local Authorities understand and utilise hydrogen to achieve their net-zero goals and launched a further report providing recommendations for Decarbonising Key UK Industries.

HyDEX will end operations in 2025, and as highlighted at a recent celebration event, the programme leaves behind a strong legacy, having supported over 50 companies, 12 start-ups, and having secured over £100 million in funding. This initiative has demonstrated the significant demand and commitment to developing a world-leading hydrogen economy in the Midlands. Since the start of the HyDEX programme in 2022, HyDEX and ERA have engaged with over 4,500 people at their events, including 1100 staff from the Midlands Innovation universities.

MI People 

Our partnership’s dedication to improving research culture has been evident since we were established. Our ongoing commitment was articulated by a collective statement outlining our shared vision and further demonstrated by the establishment of a new Midlands Research Culture Network, which brings together 14 Midlands universities. The group has focused on sharing best practice within the region. 

In February, MIH supported the student-led Midlands Racial Equality in Medicine Network (MREM) to deliver the annual conference at Keele University, attended by over 100 students and staff passionate about supporting the network. The platform’s goal is to improve racial equality, reduce the attainment gap, and raise the profile of working groups.

Two years on from launching the TALENT Commission report we held our third annual meeting of technical team leaders. Attendees reflected on their institutions progress in delivering the TALENT Commission recommendations and engaged in workshops to shape the future of technical leadership. 

Partnership 

MI has continued to showcase the region’s research strengths, hosting two research council visits (EPSRC and MRC). At these events, partners demonstrated the thriving regional research and innovation ecosystem, highlighting the depth of collaboration and research excellence within the Midlands and emphasising the region’s potential for future opportunities and partnerships. 

In partnership with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), we launched two fellowship opportunities for PhD students in social sciences and biological health. I look forward to hearing how the two successful applicants get on in 2025.  

We partnered with the National Protective Security Authority to train Midlands universities on secure innovation, with the aim of protecting academic spinout companies from potential threats. This collaboration included a train-the-trainer session for Technology Transfer Office representatives. This initiative is part of MI’s ongoing efforts to enhance research security and support the commercialisation of academic research. 

Throughout the year, it was great to see our research networks flourishing. We launched the Electron Microscopy Network and saw the 7th annual Flow Cytometry Conference, which provides networking opportunities for our flow cytometry community. The MI Space Group convened to explore the potential applications of Space Data, while the Inclusive Transformation steering group held an event highlighting project outcomes and future ambitions.  

Looking Ahead to 2025 

As we look ahead to 2025, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We will continue to build on our successes, driving innovation and making a positive impact for the Midlands and beyond. Next year marks our 10-year anniversary, a milestone that will allow us to reflect on our major achievements as a partnership and explore how our collaborative spirit can help us tackle the challenges of the next decade. 

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of those from across the Midlands Innovation partnership who have engaged with our programme of activities and of course to the MI team for your hard work in supporting our collaboration. It is the commitment and enthusiasm of our university colleagues that makes our collaboration so successful. 

I am looking forwards to continuing our collaborative efforts in 2025.  

Wishing you all Season’s Greetings and a happy, healthy 2025!