Working together: Advocacy
We are proud of our universities and the region of which they are part. As such, we have actively spoken out on their behalf, responding to government plans and funder proposals that have not always taken on board the views of the diverse majority.
We will continue to do so, engaging in the wider conversation on issues such as the future of research and innovation funding and assessment, and the local communities and devolution agenda.
We will work with politicians, policymakers, funders and other actors to ensure that our voice is heard, and that the national discourse is moderated and more representative of the sector – and the nation – as a whole.
What does our advocacy work look like?
Our Advocacy Working Group leads our advocacy work, exploring different ways in which we should represent our universities and our region and speak with a collective voice. Some examples of this are given below.
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Eastern Arc represents the collective regional research aspirations of the universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and Sussex. As such, it lobbies on behalf of the four universities and other stakeholders in the East and Southeast of England, and champions the interests of all within our region.As part of this, we engage with policymakers, politicians and others as they develop strategies and policies that affect our region. This includes responding to consultations and setting out our position on current key issues.
We will continue to monitor the external research and innovation landscape, and will set out our position on significant issues as they arise. To read our previous position papers, click here.
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As the politics of the UK shifted in 2024, we commisioned a report written by Breaking Barriers Innovations (BBI) to explore regionality and devolution and the effect it will have on universities in different regions of the UK.
The Labour Government made its commitment to devolution and regionality clear. In its manifesto, it made clear that ‘too many areas have been held back because decisions are often taken in Westminster,’ and that, when in government, it would ‘transfer power out of Westminster, and into our communities, with landmark devolution legislation to take back control.’Eastern Arc is keen to support our local authorities in working with the national Government to make this happen. The BBI report is a first step towards this, setting out the opportunities for universities to strengthen connections and contribute to the economic, social and cultural development. It is a fast-moving situation; the research and report were undertaken before the election and prior to a decision being made about a devolution deal for Norfolk and Suffolk, but the primary issues remain as salient and important as ever.
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The Eastern Arc region is unique. Stretching across the East and South-East of England, from the Wash to the Channel, ours is a region of contrasts. It is a region of significant prosperity and stark deprivation, of urban centres and agricultural richness, of natural beauty and historic significance, of trade, transport, migration and movement.As part of our work as an advocate for the region and a proactive partner within it, we commissioned a report that highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities facing our coast.
Undertaken by KADA research, the report used data from the Office for National Statistics and other sources to create a clear and comprehensive picture of the economic and social deprivation in our coastal towns and communities, including the ‘health deficit’ identified by Professor Chris Whitty in his annual report 2021.
It also identifies the unique strengths in our region, from clean energy generation and developments around our aquaculture, to our cultural, creative, heritage and visitor economies.
To read the report, click here. To read more about our focus on the needs and opportunities of our coast, click here.