Placecast

City-REDI, University of Birmingham

Welcome to Placecast, a Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub production based at the University of Birmingham. Placecast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it is only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2026 can become more manageable.  Whether you're a researcher, citizen scientist, an activist, a professional working within the public sector, a civil servant, politician, analyst or entrepreneur we think that it is through our networks that most solutions can be assembled, tested, and the learning shared before we go again and that universities can act as the repositories and observatories of these efforts. We are based in City-REDI and rooted in the LPIP programme funded by the ESRC and Innovate UK. This podcast aims to highlight knowledge and evidence-based ways of working and the strategies needed to make a real impact on the decisions that shape our society. Our guests are changemakers from across the UK, with stories about how influence can be achieved. We focus in particular on some of the connective tissue within and between sectors for clues as to how to animate place-based leadership, as innovating is a team sport, best done in the open. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Oct 6

    Placecast Episode 25: Rebuilding Local Economies Through Textiles and Procurement

    In this episode of Placecast, host Nicola Headlam is joined by Tamara Cincik, CEO and founder of Fashion Roundtable and founder of the Great British Wool Revival, alongside Alix Coombs, policy researcher and co-author of Fashion Roundtable's latest work on public procurement and UK manufacturing. Together, they explore how fashion, textiles and manufacturing are often overlooked in policy discussions, despite their importance to local economies, skills development and national resilience. Drawing on research conducted through the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) fellowship programme, the conversation challenges assumptions about fashion as a niche sector and instead highlights its role as a cornerstone of place-based economic development. The discussion ranges from the lessons of pandemic-era procurement to the opportunities presented by onshoring textile production, strengthening local supply chains and supporting communities such as Leicester's manufacturing hub. Tamara Cincik and Alix Coombes make the case that public procurement can be a powerful tool for economic growth, social mobility and industrial renewal, while Nicola Headlam connects these themes to the wider agenda of place leadership and regional development. The result is a fascinating conversation about the links between local economies, global supply chains, sustainability and the policies that can help create more resilient places. Guest Speakers Tamara Cincik, Founder & CEO of Fashion Roundtable, LPIP Hub Fellow Tamara is a UCL graduate and has 20 years of experience working in the fashion industry, as a fashion editor and brand consultant, as well as uniquely working in Parliament. She is the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Groups for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion, acting as the bridge between fashion and policy. Tamara is a Fellow of The King’s Foundation advising on their work on regenerative fashion and craft, and also an LPIP Fellow with the University of Birmingham. She is also a Commissioner for the UK Trade and Business Commission, and she was the Professor of Fashion and Sustainability at Bath Spa University. She launched The Great British Wool Revival in partnership with The King’s Foundation in 2024 to revitalise the UK wool and textile industry. She is a frequent public speaker with an annual 4.4bn media reach. Find out more about Tamara Alix Coombs, Research Consultant Alix Coombs is an international development and policy professional whose work sits at the intersection of sustainability, human rights, and the creative industries. Having spent much of her career working in Cambodia in food security and nutrition, Alix’s exposure to global supply chains, particularly the impacts of fast fashion, informs her current focus on building more equitable and sustainable systems. Alix now works as a Consultant across research, policy, and partnerships to advance the wellbeing of both people and the planet. Find out more about Alix Host Dr Nicola HeadlamNicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Transcript Find out more about the LPIP Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 25: Rebuilding Local Economies Through Textiles and Procurement

  2. Sep 30

    Placecast Episode 24: Manchesterism, Devolution and the Future of Place-Based Leadership

    In this special three-way edition of Placecast, Nicola Headlam is joined by Rebecca Riley, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Regional Engagement and Director of City-REDI at the University of Birmingham, and Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), to explore the rise of "Manchesterism" and what it means for the future of devolution in the UK. The discussion reflects on the growing influence of city-regional leadership in national policymaking, particularly following the strengthening of devolved governance structures. Drawing on decades of experience in economic development, local government and policy research, the speakers examine how place-based leadership, long-term collaboration and institutional stability have shaped Greater Manchester's distinct approach to governance. The conversation also looks beyond Manchester, considering lessons from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and asking how local and national government can work more effectively together. Rebecca Riley and Sarah Longlands highlight the need to build capacity within local institutions, move away from short-term competitive funding models and create stronger frameworks for democratic accountability and community wealth building. Throughout the episode, Nicola Headlam encourages a thoughtful debate about the opportunities and limitations of devolution, making the case for a more collaborative, place-sensitive approach to policymaking that can deliver inclusive and sustainable growth across all parts of the UK. Rebecca RileyProfessor Rebecca (Bec) Riley is Co-Director of City-REDI, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement, Director of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, and Professor of Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact at the University of Birmingham’s Business School. Bec joined the University of Birmingham nine years ago to set up City-REDI, to build a distinctive local, regional, national and international research platform through the development of a Birmingham approach to understanding and facilitating growth in city regions. This systemic approach in identifying and conceptualising the inter-dependencies within and between regional economies has provided new opportunities for understanding, conceptualising, modelling, evaluating and comparing economic activity and business trends at the city-region level. View Rebecca’s Full Profile Sarah LonglandsSarah Longlands leads CLES, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, the National Organisation for Local Economies, based in Manchester. She is an expert in regional and local economic development and argues for economic and social justice and the creation of places which enable people to live good lives. Before joining CLES in 2021, Sarah was Director of IPPR North, the dedicated think tank for the North of England. She previously worked for CLES until 2011 and began her career in local government, working in County Durham and North Yorkshire. She has a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of Glasgow. Sarah is a member of the LPIP Hub Partnership Team. View Sarah’s online profile Nicola HeadlamDr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Transcript Find out more about the LPIP Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 24: Manchesterism, Devolution and the Future of Place-Based Leadership

  3. Sep 22

    Placecast Episode 23: Water, Place and the Power of Connection

    How can water help us think differently about place, policy and public service reform? In this episode of Placecast, presenter Nicola Headlam is joined by Deryck Irving from the University of Stirling and the FORTH2O Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) to explore how water can act as a powerful lens for understanding place-based innovation, resilience and collaboration. Drawing on work across central Scotland, Deryck discusses the challenges of managing water as both a vital resource and a driver of economic, social and environmental outcomes. The conversation ranges from community engagement and knowledge brokering to the future of devolution and place leadership. Nicola and Deryck reflect on the importance of working across boundaries, sharing lessons from both successes and failures, and building partnerships that can tackle complex challenges such as climate resilience, flooding, water scarcity and inequality. The episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in how evidence, policy and local action can come together to create meaningful change. Guest Speakers Deryck IrvingDeryck Irving, a member of the Hydro Nation Chair research and innovation team at the University of Stirling, specialises in blue-green infrastructure and nature-based solutions for sustainable placemaking. He has over 30 years of ecological experience and expertise in collaborative working and stakeholder engagement, from policy through to practical delivery. Deryck is the Place Lead for FORTH20. FORTH2O is funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to inform and address these issues. It is a local policy innovation partnership (LPIP) in the region covering the Forth Water Basin: Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Falkirk, Edinburgh and the Lothians. FORTH2O is working with partners across academia, government, policy, industry, community and voluntary sectors to co-design research and policy innovations to support a more connected, resilient, and equitable water system that better serves the needs of people and the environment. View Deryck's LinkedIn profile. Host Dr Nicola HeadlamNicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Find out more about the LPIP Hub Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 23: Water, Place and the Power of Connection

  4. Sep 8

    Placecast Episode 22: Ecological Citizenship, Stewardship and Local Democracy

    In this episode of Placecast, presenter Nicola Headlam is joined by Amy Burnett, LPIP Policy Fellow, researcher and practitioner in local governance, sustainability and community-led change. Amy reflects on her journey from working on decentralisation projects in Angola to researching town and parish councils in England, exploring how local democracy, stewardship and participation can create more resilient and sustainable places. Drawing on her work with neighbourhood planning, the Transition Town movement and governance reform, she discusses the often-overlooked role of local institutions and civic actors in shaping meaningful change. The conversation centres on Amy's concept of ecological citizenship, a framework that connects environmental responsibility, community stewardship and democratic participation. Nicola and Amy explore themes including devolution, valuing community action, place-based leadership, social innovation, language and power, and the importance of recognising the hidden contributions of volunteers and local changemakers. Looking from the hyper-local to the global, the episode offers a thoughtful and hopeful discussion about how communities can unlock new forms of value, creativity and collaboration to address the complex challenges facing places today. Guest Speakers Dr Amy BurnettAmy Burnett is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Enterprise, Environment and Development Research (CEEDR) at Middlesex University’s (MDX) Business School and a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP). Her research and practitioner work focuses on civil society groups and government to promote and incentivise innovative and sustainable development in the context of sustainable finance, planning, policy, placemaking, and place-based identities. She has significant experience as a practitioner in the UK community, planning and international development sectors. View Amy’s online profile HostDr Nicola HeadlamNicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Transcript Find out more about the LPIP Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 22: Ecological Citizenship, Stewardship and Local Democracy

  5. Aug 25

    Placecast Episode 21: Place, Pride and Poetry - Creative Ways to Understand Community

    In this episode of Placecast, presenter Nicola Headlam is joined by Joseph Owen, Nicky Marsh, and Cara Headon to explore how communities understand, experience and shape the places they call home. Drawing on the University of Southampton's Feeling Towns research and the Mansbridge Heritage Project, the conversation examines the complex idea of "pride in place" and asks what happens when policymakers try to measure something as personal, emotional and locally specific as people's relationship with where they live. Together, Nicola, Joseph, Nicky and Cara discuss how creative methods such as poetry, heritage walks, photography, storytelling and community art can reveal forms of knowledge that traditional surveys often miss. From estate-based regeneration and social housing to neighbourhood leadership, cultural participation and community cohesion, the episode highlights the power of lived experience in shaping better policy and stronger places. Through reflections on Mansbridge's rich heritage and the relationships that bind communities together, the conversation offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in place-based change, local leadership and the future of neighbourhood renewal. Guest SpeakersJoseph OwenJoseph is a research fellow at the University of Southampton, working in the Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities (SIAH). Joseph has led projects including ‘Poetry, Policy and Place’, ‘Feeling Towns’, and ‘Neighbouring Data’, the last of which explores the role of qualitative data in place-based decision-making. Joseph is Co-Director of the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Writing (CMCW) and a specialist policy officer for Public Policy Southampton (PPS). He writes arts, film, and literary criticism. View Joseph’s LinkedIn profile Professor Nicky MarshNicky Marsh is a Professor of English at the University of Southampton who researches contemporary literature, media and culture with particular reference to economics and gender. Her work has examined how economic ideas—money, risk, credit, debt—have been given imaginary and cultural forms. Find out more about Nicky. Cara HeadonCara Headon is a Community Development Officer at the Abri Group with expertise in community investment and social housing. She is passionate about working with people and creating spaces where everyone feels heard and valued. She has led projects that improve wellbeing, strengthen neighbourhoods, and empower local voices. View Cara's LinkedIn profile. HostDr Nicola HeadlamNicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Find out more about the LPIP Hub Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 21: Place, Pride and Poetry - Creative Ways to Understand Community

  6. Aug 11

    Placecast Episode 20: How AI Could Transform Local Government

    In Placecast Episode 20, presenter Nicola Headlam speaks with economic development consultant and LPIP Policy Fellow Kevin Fenning about the growing role of artificial intelligence in local government. Drawing on research that identified more than 100 examples of AI use across the sector, Kevin explores how councils are adopting AI to support services ranging from social care and planning to fraud detection, customer engagement and infrastructure maintenance. The conversation examines both the opportunities and risks of AI adoption, including the importance of maintaining public trust, keeping "humans in the loop" for decision-making, and building the capacity of local authorities to use emerging technologies effectively. Nicola and Kevin also discuss leadership, innovation, evidence, procurement and the challenge of scaling successful projects across the sector, offering a timely assessment of how AI could reshape the future of place-based public services. Read Kevin's report - AI in Local Government: Adoption, Benefits and Challenges Guest Speaker Kevin Fenning Director, Evidence First Kevin Fenning is an economic consultant with 16 years’ experience leading teams for public and private sector clients. Kevin’s work focuses on economic strategy and analysis, and building the case for investment in locally significant projects. Kevin works extensively with local and central government to support and promote economic development, as well as working on behalf of a range of other organisations and anchor institutions, including research councils, universities, business representative organisations, investors and developers, and NHS Trusts. Visit Kevin’s LinkedIn Profile Host Dr Nicola Headlam Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Transcript from the podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 20: How AI Could Transform Local Government

  7. Jul 21

    Placecast Episode 19: Why UK Local Economic Policy Keeps Failing

    In this episode of Placecast, presenter Nicola Headlam is joined by Glenn Athey, a freelance consultant and LPIP Fellow with over 31 years of experience in economic development. Glenn brings a forensic and refreshingly candid lens to one of the most persistent problems in UK public policy: why decades of place-based economic interventions have repeatedly failed to close regional inequalities — and what we might do differently. Drawing on his work across regional development agencies, local enterprise partnerships and international case studies from Bilbao to Chile, Glenn argues that the UK's stop-start approach to economic policy — driven by political cycles, chronic underfunding and a loss of institutional memory — is the root cause of so little progress. But this is far from a counsel of despair. Glenn points to practical solutions, the importance of private sector leverage, and the quiet power of long-term capacity building. He also discusses his newly published handbook for local and regional economic development practitioners, a resource designed to help the next generation of economic developers learn from the past rather than reinvent the wheel. Guest Speakers Dr Glenn AtheyManaging Director, My Local Economy Dr Glenn Athey has 30 years of experience in regional economic development, including a PhD from the University of Glasgow, which was part-sponsored by Scottish Enterprise. Glenn has wide-ranging experience in local and regional economic analysis, with specific expertise in labour market research, intelligence, and demand analysis, and in their application to policy, strategy, and delivery plans. He specialises in evidence-based policy, from economic analysis to specifying and articulating policy options and delivery mechanisms. Glenn was Senior Labour Market Economist for Futureskills Scotland (part of the skills directorate at SE, and also working with HIE) 2001 to 2004, Head of Enterprise Strategy and Policy at London Development Agency 2004-2006, Head of Research at The Centre for Cities 2006-2008, Director of Research and Intelligence at the East of England Development Agency 2008 to 2011, and Executive Director of Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP 2012-2013, and Principal Consultation for Regions, Cities and Local Economies at Cambridge Econometrics 2020-22. Glenn currently runs a specialist consultancy for economic development policy, strategies and advice at mylocaleconomy.org Find out more about Glenn Host Dr Nicola Headlam Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Find out more about the LPIP Hub. Transcript from the podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 19: Why UK Local Economic Policy Keeps Failing

  8. Jun 23

    Placecast Episode 18: Community-Driven Economic Growth in Wales

    In Episode 18 of Placecast, Nicola Headlam interviews Professor Calvin Jones, a LPIP Hub Place Fellow working on sustainability and regional economics in Wales. The discussion explores how devolved governance in Wales is evolving, particularly in areas such as fiscal powers, wellbeing policy, and green transition. Cavlin argues that traditional growth-led economic models are failing to deliver for local communities and highlights the need for place-based, community-driven approaches. The conversation illustrates how grassroots initiatives such as community energy schemes in northwest Wales and the Welcome to Our Woods project in Treherbert demonstrate the power of local assets, collective action, and long-term thinking. Jones emphasises that policy success depends on understanding local context, embedding evidence in decision-making, and avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions borrowed from elsewhere. They also reflect on the importance of “brokers” who translate knowledge into action, the role of future-focused policymaking, and the need for better land use planning. Overall, the episode advocates for a more holistic, place-sensitive approach to economic development and governance that prioritises wellbeing, sustainability, and community resilience. Guest Speakers Professor Calvin JonesManaging Director, Jones the Numbers LTD Calvin is a specialist in regional development, sustainability and energy economics. He holds a PhD in the Economics of Tourism and Major Events and is a specialist in economic and environmental accounting and modelling. He has been involved in the development of a number of measurement tools for sustainability. He manages Jones the Numbers Ltd, and additionally is Adjunct Professor at Cork University Business School and a non-executive Director at Natural Resources Wales. He has written and spoken extensively on sustainable development, regional policy and energy transformations. Possibly too extensively. Calvin is a failed novelist, rock star and screenwriter, but served a successful and rewarding (if short) period in Nelson Mandela's security detail. He is a winner of both the Moss Madden Medal in Regional Science, and the People's Choice Award at the 1996 Milwaukee International Snow Sculpting Championships, representing Cymru. View Calvin's LinkedIn profile Host Dr Nicola Headlam Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation. In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile Find out more about the LPIP Hub. Transcript from the podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Placecast Episode 18: Community-Driven Economic Growth in Wales
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About

Welcome to Placecast, a Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub production based at the University of Birmingham. Placecast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it is only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2026 can become more manageable.  Whether you're a researcher, citizen scientist, an activist, a professional working within the public sector, a civil servant, politician, analyst or entrepreneur we think that it is through our networks that most solutions can be assembled, tested, and the learning shared before we go again and that universities can act as the repositories and observatories of these efforts. We are based in City-REDI and rooted in the LPIP programme funded by the ESRC and Innovate UK. This podcast aims to highlight knowledge and evidence-based ways of working and the strategies needed to make a real impact on the decisions that shape our society. Our guests are changemakers from across the UK, with stories about how influence can be achieved. We focus in particular on some of the connective tissue within and between sectors for clues as to how to animate place-based leadership, as innovating is a team sport, best done in the open. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    City-REDI, University of Birmingham
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © City-REDI, University of Birmingham
  • Show Website
    Placecast

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