NERUPI 2025: Lessons on Regional Collaboration for Social Mobility
On the 18th September, members of NERUPI gathered in London for the NERUPI Convention 2025: Collaboration for Widening Participation: Within and Beyond Higher Education. The event brought together practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to reflect on the future of partnership-based approaches to widening access – particularly in light of the OfS’s new emphasis on regional collaboration announced earlier this year.
Presentation and Panel
Dr Jo Davies presented early findings from the ‘From the Centre to the Periphery‘ project. Her presentation explored the importance of place-based approaches to social mobility and shared early insights from our work with stakeholders across England. Jo highlighted several emerging themes such as the importance of local ownership, partnerships, networks, sustained investment and how universities and local structures can support programme legacy beyond funding. These themes chimed strongly with the convention’s focus on how higher education can collaborate more effectively with employers, communities, and younger age groups to create inclusive opportunities.
Alongside her presentation, Jo contributed to the expert panel on regional working in widening participation, joining:
- Vicki Spink (HEPPSY UniConnect) – on building enduring regional partnerships
- Scott Atkinson (Royal Academy of Engineering) – on the role of networks in supportive collaborative projects
- Dr Femi Owolade (Sheffield Hallam University) – on aligning widening participation with the civic university mission
Together, the panel underscored the importance of partnerships, civic responsibility, and collective action in addressing geographic inequalities and supporting long-term social mobility.
Why this matters
The UK continues to face significant geographic disparities in access to education and opportunity. In this context, Jo’s contribution emphasised that place-based, collaborative initiatives are not only effective but essential to ensure widening participation strategies reflect the needs and strengths of local communities.
Looking forward
The NERUPI convention reinforced that regional collaboration is both an opportunity and a challenge. The shift towards a more co-ordinated national approach opens up the potential for:
- Stronger links between higher education and employers
- More coherent provision for schools and young people
- Sustainable networks that outlast short-term initiatives
Our project will continue to generate insights that contribute to this wider conversation on widening participation in higher education.