Achieving Growth Through the Power of Place

What role does place play in driving economic growth, innovation, and opportunity? As the new PM seeks to “deliver good growth in every postcode”, understanding the unique assets and challenges of specific places has never been more topical or more important. Join academics,and regional stakeholders at the University of Liverpool for an engaging discussion on how places can unlock sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity.

This interactive panel event in partneshipe with the Campaign for Social Sceince will bring together leading voices from business, policy and academia to explore how place-based approaches can help cities and regions unlock growth, attract investment, foster innovation and build long-term economic resilience. Drawing on experiences from Liverpool and beyond, the discussion will consider how local strengths can be harnessed to create sustainable and inclusive growth and what this means for the future of the UK economy.

The event will be chaired by Professor Richard Black, Provost of the University of Liverpool, and forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science 2026. It will also mark the launch of the Campaign for Social Science's new policy report, Achieving Good Growth in the UK.

Whether you are involved in business, policymaking, research, local government, the voluntary sector, or are simply interested in the future of cities and regions, this event offers an opportunity to hear from experts, exchange ideas and join the conversation about how places can realise their full potential.

Provost, University of Liverpool

Richard Black provides leadership for strategic planning, annual resourcing and budgeting processes in line with the University's Liverpool 2031 strategy. He also leads the University's work on place and innovation, helping align University strategy with growth and innovation across the Liverpool City Region, while supporting its international partnerships in China and India.

Richard joined the University of Liverpool in 2023, having previously served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham and as Pro-Director (Research and Enterprise) at SOAS University of London. An internationally recognised scholar, his research has focused on migration, environmental change and international development, and he has advised the United Nations, governments and international organisations around the world.

He is currently Honorary Secretary of the Academy of Social Sciences, a Trustee of Ashanti Development, and a Commissioner on the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission.

Co-Director, Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, University of Liverpool

Sue Jarvis is Co-Director of the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool and brings extensive expertise in policy development, public service reform and regional devolution.

With more than 20 years' senior leadership experience in local and regional government, Sue has played a central role in shaping and delivering place-based policy across Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester. Her work focuses on the relationship between policy, place and economic development, and she is actively involved in the Liverpool City Region Health Determinants Research Collaboration.

Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics, Alliance Manchester Business School

Philip McCann is the Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics at the University of Manchester. Specialising in spatial economics and economic geography, he is one of the UK's most highly cited social scientists and a leading authority on regional productivity, growth and economic development.

His advisory work has included roles with the European Commission, OECD, European Investment Bank and national governments. Philip was also a member of Labour's Commission on the UK's Future, chaired by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

CEO of Sciontec and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool)

Colin is the CEO of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool), which is transforming almost half of Liverpool City Centre into a world-leading innovation district focused on health and education, science and technology, including the £1bn Paddington Village Development. He started his career in the music industry, managing bands and owning nightclubs in Manchester, before moving on to produce major televised events internationally. Colin was CEO of Manchester’s investment agency (MIDAS) and, before taking up his role in KQ Liverpool, was a Director at the property developers Bruntwood, leading its diversification into science parks and creative workspace. In 2018, Colin took up the dual role of CEO of Sciontec Developments Limited, a new development company that has been created to bring new investment to the city regions science and tech business facilities, whilst creating a world-leading innovation ecosystem to help commercialise research and grow innovation-led companies. In addition to this Colin is also the director of Liverpool Science Park.

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society. It’s a key element of ESRC’s commitment to share UK social science research with new audiences. This year the festival is being held from 17 October to 7 November 2026 and features hundreds of free events across the UK for both children and adults, run by 41 universities and research institutes

For more information, please visit .

The Leggate Lecture Theatre is located within the Victoria Gallery & Museum (VG&M). The building has step-free access via automatic entrance doors, and lift access is available to the lecture theatre and all public floors. Accessible toilets are available throughout the building, including on the ground floor, and are equipped with handrails and emergency alarm cords. Baby changing facilities are also available.

For visitors arriving with coats or large bags, a cloakroom and free lockers are available on the ground floor. The museum also provides seating throughout the building. Please contact the organisers if additonal access support may be needed including hearing support or closed captions.

Accessible parking spaces for Blue Badge holders are available nearby, and the venue is well served by public transport, with several bus routes stopping within a short walk and Liverpool Lime Street station approximately 15-20 minutes away on foot. Visitor car parking is available on University car parks located at Brownlow Street and Mount Pleasant (opposite the Catholic Cathedral). Details can be found at: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/about/visit-us/car-parking/

Accessibility | Victoria Gallery & Museum | University of Liverpool

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Victoria Gallery & Museum, Ashton Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom

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