By Andre Carrascal-Incera, Tasos Kitsos & Diana Gutierrez-Posada, Coventry University, the UK
This blog post has been written by three guest authors to provide an introduction to the authors’ new RUNIN Working Paper, Universities and regional economies – a symbiotic relationship?

Universities have long been key actors of socio-economic and cultural growth for their local communities (Goddard et al., 2014; UPP Foundation, 2019). Unfortunately, in the UK and elsewhere, measuring and communicating these impacts has received much less attention for Higher Education Institutions. There are multiple reasons for this that extend beyond this blog and our Working Paper but the lack of evidence and communication of university benefits to local economies in the UK has led to a great divide on the matter among academics and the general public.
The COVID19 crisis has highlighted some of these issues, with universities urging for government support to avoid financial collapse and the government first denying special treatment and only recently introducing a package of measures that rolls forward tuition fees and other income but pledges no new money. Lately and fortunately, the lack of evidence on the crucial role that universities play in their localities has been recognised with significant contributions and initiatives (such as the cross-country RUNIN network program and the UK Civic Universities Network) starting to emerge. As a result, we now see local governments being active supporters of the universities’ call for assistance during the COVID19 crisis.
Our Working Paper aims to contribute to our understanding of university impacts on regional economies. The literature has already highlighted a range of impact channels from human capital and innovation, to entrepreneurship and spending. Most of these channels (if not all) have a particular spatial footprint that sometimes is clear (see university-industry contractual collaborations and patenting) and some other times, it is rather obscure (see the impact of spending in local economies). Indeed, most of the studies concerning expenditure focus on the effects of spending on the national economy with little insight into the spatial distribution of the benefits.
We look at the multiplier effects of student expenditure and the ability of host regions to benefit from such spending. The hypothesis is that the same amount of spending will have different impacts in different places. Consequently, similar to the idea of regional absorptive capacity in regional innovation studies, we propose that regions have differential abilities to absorb (and generate) the multiplier effects of student spending. Thus, maximising local benefits from student spending is the outcome of a symbiotic relationship between local student spending and regional industrial structures.
To test our hypothesis we use City-REDI’s Socio-Economic Impact Model for the UK. This is a multi-regional input-output model that allows us to simultaneously consider the direct impact of spending in a region together with potential regional spillovers and feedback effects flowing back to the originating region. We combine this with microdata from the Living Costs and Food Survey to identify the specific student consumption patterns and data from HESA to estimate the actual student expenditure impact by region.
We find a significant range of domestic and country multipliers (Table 2 in the working paper and figure 3 reproduced below). A £1 spent in North Eastern Scotland generates 11 pence for the local economy whilst the same £1 spent in Greater Manchester generates almost 37 pence extra in local multiplier impacts. When it comes to total impacts for the national economy, a £1 spent in West Midlands will generate 54 extra pence in total, whilst the same £1 spent in North Eastern Scotland will generate 16 extra pence. Similar are our findings on the range of the spillover effects generated and received with West Midlands generating the most spillover effects compared to what it is receiving and Inner London West receiving the most compared to what it generates (Table 3 in the paper).
Source: Own elaboration
Bringing together the above information we get an overview of places that benefit more/less than average by domestic spending and similarly from inbound spillover effects (Figure 6 in the paper).
Source: own elaboration
Finally, adding information on the total number of students by region and their average expenditure allows us to understand their total and relative contribution to the output of different places (Table 4 in the paper). As a result, we can identify that the 74,565 students in West Wales and The Valleys are twice as important for the output of the region than the 207,940 of Inner London – West.
Overall, the Working Paper provides evidence of a symbiotic relationship when it comes to the economic impact of student spending on regions. Specifically, we find that local industrial structures play an important role on the benefits regions absorb from student spending with the maximum direct effects being 3.5 times larger than the minimum ones. Similar differences are observed in the generation and receipt of spillover effects with London absorbing the majority of spillovers from spending in other regions.
Further work is currently being undertaken by the team, under WMREDI’s project on the impact of universities on local labour markets. This work focuses on translating university regional impacts (both student spending and others) into labour market outcomes. In response to the COVID19 economic challenge on universities, our initial estimates found that for every 3-5 students not starting in September 2020, one job could be at risk in the West Midlands and the country. It is certain that these figures will vary in a similar way as the multipliers. With one in five students already considering (if not decided) not to start at university in September 2020, both universities and regional economies will need support to continue generating positive multiplier effects in the future.
About the authors
Dr Andre Carrascal-Incera is a research fellow in economic modelling at City-REDI/WMREDI, University of Birmingham.
Dr Anastasios (Tasos) Kitsos is a research fellow at City-REDI/WMREDI, University of Birmingham.
Dr Diana Gutierrez-Posada is a research fellow at City-REDI/WMREDI, University of Birmingham.
Acknowledgements
This work includes analysis based on data from the Living Costs and Food Survey, produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and supplied by the Secure Data Service at the UK Data Archive (UKDA). The data is Crown copyright and reproduced with the permission of the controller of HMSO and Queen’s Printer for Scotland. The use of the ONS statistical data in this work does not imply the endorsement of the ONS or the Secure Data Service at the UK Data Archive in relation to the interpretation or analysis of the data. This work uses research datasets that may not exactly reproduce National Statistics aggregates. All the outputs have been granted final clearance by the staff of the SDS-UKDA.
wordpress theme framework
Posted at 13:12h, 16 OctoberWow, this paragraph is fastidious, my sister is analyzing these things, so I am going to inform
her. https://pbase.com/topics/reddycastillo1/benefits_associated_with_usi
شقق cvk اسطنبول
Posted at 21:23h, 03 NovemberVery energetic blog, I loved that bit. Will there be a part 2? https://apartments01.dreamwidth.org/profile
شقق للبيع في الاسكندرية 2020
Posted at 00:31h, 04 NovemberGreetings! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa?
My site discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog
by the way! http://www.webestools.com/profile-300901.html
شقق للبيع في عمان
Posted at 01:08h, 04 NovemberThis is really interesting, You are an overly skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to seeking extra of
your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web
site in my social networks https://fcei.unan.edu.ni/matematica/community/profile/apartments1/
شقق olx
Posted at 01:12h, 04 NovemberAwesome post. https://slides.com/apartments1
hair the musical tour 2019
Posted at 11:14h, 04 NovemberMerely online checking points out … enjoy the photos!
I try to find out by checking out various other pictures, too. https://besthaircare1.tumblr.com/
Do you know a hair fall remedy that actually worked?
Posted at 11:59h, 04 NovemberSuperb photos, the color and depth of the pictures are
breath-taking, they attract you in as though you belong of the
make-up. https://www.evernote.com/shard/s718/client/snv?noteGuid=d04fb19e-6c79-e5f9-2a36-79511d7f9497¬eKey=666801030b3dde42f1a316beba7f7cb9&sn=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evernote.com%2Fshard%2Fs718%2Fsh%2Fd04fb19e-6c79-e5f9-2a36-79511d7f9497%2F666801030b3dde42f1a316beba7f7cb9&title=%25D9%2581%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25D8%25A6%25D8%25AF%2B%25D8%25B4%25D8%25A7%25D9%2585%25D8%25A8%25D9%2588%2Bogx%2B%25D9%2584%25D8%25AA%25D9%2583%25D8%25AB%25D9%258A%25D9%2581%2B%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B4%25D8%25B9%25D8%25B1%2B%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25A8%25D9%258A%25D9%2588%25D8%25AA%25D9%258A%25D9%2586%2B%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2583%25D9%2588%25D9%2584%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AC%25D9%258A%25D9%2586
Do you know a hair fall remedy that actually worked?
Posted at 12:02h, 04 NovemberSuperb photos, the color and depth of the pictures are breath-taking, they
attract you in as though you belong of the make-up. https://www.evernote.com/shard/s718/client/snv?noteGuid=d04fb19e-6c79-e5f9-2a36-79511d7f9497¬eKey=666801030b3dde42f1a316beba7f7cb9&sn=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evernote.com%2Fshard%2Fs718%2Fsh%2Fd04fb19e-6c79-e5f9-2a36-79511d7f9497%2F666801030b3dde42f1a316beba7f7cb9&title=%25D9%2581%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25D8%25A6%25D8%25AF%2B%25D8%25B4%25D8%25A7%25D9%2585%25D8%25A8%25D9%2588%2Bogx%2B%25D9%2584%25D8%25AA%25D9%2583%25D8%25AB%25D9%258A%25D9%2581%2B%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B4%25D8%25B9%25D8%25B1%2B%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25A8%25D9%258A%25D9%2588%25D8%25AA%25D9%258A%25D9%2586%2B%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2583%25D9%2588%25D9%2584%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AC%25D9%258A%25D9%2586
قصة عشق حب اعمى
Posted at 08:04h, 13 NovemberI am truly glad to read this website posts which carries lots of useful information, thanks for
providing such statistics. https://esheeq.net/
موقع قصة عشق
Posted at 10:02h, 14 NovemberMarvelous, what a blog it is! This webpage provides valuable information to us, keep
it up. https://esheeq.net/series
al ahly fc wiki
Posted at 20:36h, 27 NovemberRemarkable! Its actually awesome post, I have got much clear idea about from this post. https://sites.google.com/view/rakib6/home
liverpool effectif 2019
Posted at 20:53h, 27 NovemberYes! Finally something about mohamed salah. http://www.brijj.com/charlotte-greenwood
kora kora
Posted at 21:26h, 27 NovemberIt’s the best time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be
happy. I have read this put up and if I may just I desire to
suggest you few attention-grabbing things or suggestions.
Maybe you could write subsequent articles relating to this
article. I desire to learn more things about it! https://oilvoice.com/User/charlotte661
zamalek fcc
Posted at 22:06h, 27 NovemberAwesome post. https://www.kongregate.com/accounts/charlotte661
zamalek fc store
Posted at 01:05h, 28 NovemberPretty component to content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing on your feeds and even I success you get
entry to consistently quickly. https://blackcabtaxi646952933.wordpress.com/2020/11/20/%d9%85%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%87%d9%84%d9%89/
2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup
Posted at 01:18h, 28 NovemberWow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say excellent blog! https://muckrack.com/charlotte-greenwood-1/bio
liverpool fc statistics
Posted at 01:52h, 28 NovemberThis website was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something that helped me. Kudos! https://hub.docker.com/u/charlotte661
kora
Posted at 01:53h, 28 NovemberNice weblog right here! Additionally your web site so much up
fast! What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your affiliate link on your host?
I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol https://www.bombstat.com/domain/news.123kora.com/
liverpool fc zoom background
Posted at 15:13h, 28 NovemberEvery weekend i used to pay a visit this website, as i wish for enjoyment, for
the reason that this this web page conations truly pleasant funny stuff too. https://hackerone.com/charlotte661?type=user
zamalek fc twitter
Posted at 15:30h, 28 NovemberHi friends, its great piece of writing concerning cultureand fully defined, keep
it up all the time. https://lwccareers.lindsey.edu/profiles/2132845-charlotte-greenwood
JSON/Django http request
Posted at 16:07h, 28 NovemberHi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since I book-marked it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue
to help others. https://penzu.com/p/2814e9ea
kora
Posted at 16:15h, 28 NovemberHi to every one, for the reason that I am actually keen of reading this blog’s post to
be updated regularly. It carries good data. http://onlinemanuals.txdot.gov/help/urlstatusgo.html?url=https://news.123kora.com/
mohamed salah al-azab
Posted at 18:41h, 28 NovemberI believe what you wrote made a ton of sense.
But, think on this, what if you added a little content?
I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your website, however what
if you added something to possibly grab folk’s attention? I mean New Working
Paper: Universities and regional economies – a symbiotic relationship?
– RUNIN is a little plain. You should look at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create post headlines to get people to
open the links. You might try adding a video or a related pic or two to get readers interested about
what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it might
bring your posts a little bit more interesting. https://lookbook.nu/user/8449690-Gracest
1986 African Cup of Champions Clubs Final wikipedia
Posted at 17:12h, 30 NovemberDoes your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email.
I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing
it expand over time. https://forum.findukhosting.com/index.php?action=profile;area=summary;u=14462
kora
Posted at 18:54h, 30 NovemberI visited several websites however the audio feature for audio songs existing at this site is in fact fabulous. https://www.steinberg.net/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=290437
al ahly
Posted at 19:14h, 30 NovemberA person essentially assist to make seriously posts I’d state.
That is the first time I frequented your web page and to
this point? I surprised with the research you
made to make this actual submit extraordinary.
Fantastic job! https://www.evernote.com/shard/s514/sh/924774bc-f282-c982-247f-e072bb17e2ce/13e1c388c2becd520933807b8d203746
liverpool fc goalkeeper
Posted at 04:32h, 01 DecemberHey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Outstanding blog and outstanding style and design. http://id.kaywa.com/charlotte661
kora
Posted at 06:55h, 01 DecemberFor hottest information you have to visit world-wide-web and on internet I
found this website as a finest web page for most up-to-date updates. http://ufotech.com.vn/members/charlotte661.599653/
2014 Egypt Cup Final
Posted at 06:58h, 01 DecemberQuality posts is the secret to attract the viewers to
pay a visit the web page, that’s what this web
site is providing. http://www.kzncomsafety.gov.za/UserProfile/tabid/255/userId/247039/Default.aspx
RonaldPut
Posted at 13:30h, 27 DecemberWe remove radial cracks of enamel of sanitary ware / baths in Minsk
RobeAperi
Posted at 16:38h, 29 DecemberRestoration of baths in Noginsk https://megaremont.pro/msk-restavratsiya-vann
AlfrRof
Posted at 11:49h, 04 JanuaryRestoration of plumbing in Mytishchi https://megaremont.pro/ekb-restavratsiya-vann
Mervin
Posted at 10:42h, 07 JanuaryIf you desire to increase your experience only keep visiting this web page and be updated with the most recent information posted here.
Here is my web page; wings io
DaTut
Posted at 13:52h, 08 JanuaryRestoration of bath coverings