All News
The latest news from Y-PERN

Y-PERN hosts meeting of the Yorkshire and Humber Councils Policy Officer Network
Y-PERN hosted a meeting of the newly reconvened Yorkshire and Humber Councils Policy Officer Network (YHCPON) at the Cloth Hall Court in Leeds in January 2025. The meeting brought together local and combined authority policy and strategy officers from across the Yorkshire and Humber Councils network to discuss a range of issues. The meeting was … Read more

Y-PERN presents a Research Note to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire
Y-PERN recently presented a brief research note to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire on the challenges and opportunities presented for the region by the recently published UK Government English Devolution White Paper. The APPG brings MPs and Peers of all parties together with key leaders – those in local and combined … Read more

The Water Cultures Network Meeting
The Water Cultures Network was set up in 2023 As a joint initiative between Risky Cities, Living with Water (LWW) and the Yorkshire & Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN). The aim of the Network is to build relationships to enable partnerships to work together and to be in place – in readiness to … Read more

The English Devolution White Paper
This article first appeared on the Yorkshire Universities website. The English Devolution White Paper features a series of policy proposals that are likely to have profound implications for the governance of local and regional development within England, and which will influence how and where the UK [Modern] Industrial Strategy is implemented over the coming years. The White Paper proposes … Read more

Hull Poverty Truth Commission Evaluation Report
University of Hull’s First Hull Poverty Truth Commission Evaluation Report has now been published. Written by Dr Gill Hughes and Y-PERN Policy Fellow Dr Juan Pablo Winter, the report discusses how the first Hull Poverty Truth Commission has inspired a major cultural shift to ensure that people who experience the impact of decisions should be … Read more

Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund – launching soon
The £800k ‘Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund’ will launch on 3 February 2025. This fund will be an opportunity for additional innovative emerging projects, studies, activities, and ideas that reflect the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership’s (YPIP) focus on accelerating community-led inclusive and sustainable growth. Y-PERN and YPIP are enhancing collaboration between university academics and policymakers in Yorkshire … Read more

Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP) are recruiting local people to join their project Community Panel
Do you have ideas about how to improve your community? Would you like to see better jobs in your area or find ways to live in a greener way? The Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP) project brings universities, communities, voluntary organisations, businesses and councils together to work on place-based initiatives. Y-PERN and YPIP are enhancing … Read more

Y-PERN: Place-based policy that is grounded in evidence, developed in partnership
Y-PERN is transforming the way academic researchers and knowledge exchange experts in the 12 Yorkshire and Humber universities work in partnership with policymakers in the region. The deepening of devolution across our region presents a unique opportunity to co-create evidence based policies that bring real benefits to communities. Take a look at Y-PERN’s 4-page summary … Read more

Report heralds ‘New Era for Female Entrepreneurship’ in North Yorkshire
Despite facing unique challenges, female entrepreneurs are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions and spearheading sustainable development in York and North Yorkshire – according to the findings of a new report.

New Music Industry Network Launched for Creatives in West Yorkshire
Connecting creative musical talent with regional opportunities is the aim of a new network delivered by Y-PERN partners Leeds Conservatoire and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

Action plan to tackle climate crisis has support from Yorkshire’s leaders
A comprehensive plan for Yorkshire and the Humber to respond to the climate and nature crises has received unanimous support from leaders of the region’s 15 local authorities and mayors of combined authorities.

New report says ‘universities need to be embedded as key partners with MCAs and local authorities’
Universities UK (UUK) has published its Higher Education and Research Blueprint which sets out a package of reform, aiming to stabilise, mobilise and then maximise the contribution of UK universities to economic growth and widening opportunity for all.

South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP) launched to help business innovate and grow
SYIP will provide opportunities for businesses to engage in and benefit from innovation-led growth, driving innovation led-activities. It will build upon a successful track record of delivering innovation support to SMEs in the region.

Yorkshire and the Humber’s carbon story can be a positive one says Climate Commission
Yorkshire and the Humber can reach net zero in 15 years, generating billions in co-benefits for people, nature, and the economy – according to a report by Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission (a Y-PERN partner).

Reflections and lessons learned from the Hull Truth Poverty Commission
On Monday 8 July 2024 a unique gathering of policymakers and those with lived experience of poverty came together to reflect on a shared journey of change and celebrate progress made.

Introducing Y-PERN Policy Fellow Dr Peter Mukarumbwa
Dr. Peter Mukarumbwa is the Y-PERN Policy Fellow for West Yorkshire, helping to enhance the contribution of academic research to support evidence-based policymaking across the region.

Enhancing the Student Civic Experience: A Roadmap to Empower Students
Universities across the UK should embed a ‘truly civic’ approach that equips all students as lifelong active citizens through formal learning, campus activities, and community engagement, according to a new report jointly produced by the Civic University Network and the UPP Foundation.

Introducing Y-PERN Policy Fellow Pratichi Chatterjee
Dr Pratichi Chatterjee is Y-PERN Policy Fellow for West Yorkshire (based at the University of Huddersfield) and facilitates engagement between academics, policymakers and the community around housing in the region.

Kersten England CBE joins Y-PERN
With her wealth of experience in local government leadership, Kersten will help to convene academic-policy engagement networks and co-steer Y-PERN’s strategic direction more broadly.

Reflecting on the local elections: a Y-PERN perspective
Y-PERN’s Chief Policy Fellow, Dr Andy Mycock reflects on the mayoral and local election results in Yorkshire and the Humber and what it could mean for Y-PERN and YPIP’s ongoing mission.

Opportunity: Y-PERN Policy Fellow role
Y-PERN is recruiting a new Policy Fellow based at the University of Bradford’s School of Management to become a key part of our team changing the way academics and policy makers collaborate.

Climate Talking Points on the agenda for Yorkshire and the Humber
In an election year in which climate policies are a key issue, the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission (a Y-PERN partner) is helping voters to cut through the noise.

Making a difference on inclusive growth and sustainability: YPIP launches
Reflecting on the recent launch of the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP)– funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of the wider Local Policy Innovation Partnerships (LPIPs) programme to address regional inequalities around the UK.

Key report sets out plan to tackle regional health inequalities
Devolving health powers and investment to local areas is key to tackling health and economic inequalities between Yorkshire and other parts of the UK, according to the findings of a new white paper.

Trailblazing Yorkshire Based Project Linking Academics With Policymakers And Communities Awarded £5m Funding
A trailblazing Yorkshire-based project, which includes a new data portal giving communities vital information, and major climate change initiative, has secured £5m funding.

Introducing Y-PERN Joint Policy Fellows Elizabeth Sanderson and Jamie Redman
Elizabeth Sanderson and Dr Jamie Redman are joint Policy Fellows for South Yorkshire, responsible for connecting academic research and policymaking in the sub-region.

Introducing Y-PERN Policy Fellow Juan Pablo Winter
Juan is Y-PERN Policy Fellow for Hull, East Yorkshire & the Humber, and facilitates academic policy and community engagement in the region

Introducing Y-PERN Policy Fellow Chau M. Chu
Dr Chau M. Chu is the Policy Fellow for West Yorkshire and provides data and quantitative analyses for West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the delivery of strategic local plans.

Introducing Y-PERN Policy Fellow Rebecca Kerr – York & North Yorkshire
Dr Rebecca Kerr is Y-PERN Policy Fellow for York and North Yorkshire, helping to foster relationships between the new combined mayoral authority and academics, with a particular focus on understanding challenges and barriers faced by female entrepreneurs in the sub-region.