In this episode of Placecast, Nicola Headlam speaks with Des McNulty about the evolving relationship between academia and policymaking, particularly through the lens of place-based leadership. They explore how universities can act as hubs of knowledge and collaboration, contributing to local and regional development by aligning research with real-world policy needs. Des reflects on his experience in Scottish politics and academia, emphasising the importance of natural economic units, the role of city regions, and the need for sustainable partnerships. The conversation highlights the value of accumulated expertise, the challenges of institutional structures, and the potential of place-focused strategies to drive meaningful change across the UK.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast 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’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Des McNulty was the Assistant Vice-Principal, Economic Development and Civic Engagement at the University of Glasgow from 2016 to 2021. Des was responsible for developing links between policy makers and researchers, as well as other forms of collaboration between the university and the city, devolved and national governments. He is currently Vice Chair of UPEN (International and Civic Engagement) and Vice Chair of the Glasgow Commission for Economic Growth, which provides strategic advice on economic matters to eight local authorities (elected Councils) in the Greater Glasgow conurbation that have participated in the Glasgow City Region City Deal. Between 1999 and 2011, Des McNulty was an elected member of the Scottish Parliament, where he served in roles including Minister for Communities and Social Justice, shadow spokesperson on Education and Chair of the Parliament’s Finance Committee.

Dr Nicola Headlam has more than 20 years of experience working within all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system; central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation and in industry. Along the way, she has honed expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in making and shaping place, and in 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.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In the fourth episode of Placecast, Gerardo Javier Arriaga-Garcia sits down with Nina Ruddle, Head of Public Policy Engagement, Wrexham University. Their conversation dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of inclusive innovation, particularly in the context of Wales.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast 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’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Nina Ruddle is a graduate of the University of Liverpool in Geography and Civic Design. Nina has 20 years’ experience in public services in education, social and economic regeneration, and policy development/delivery.

As Head of Public Policy Engagement, she leads Wrexham University’s civic mission partnership strategy across North Wales, which delivers a wide range of co-created civic mission work in collaboration with a vast range of partners and communities and aims to end social inequality by 2030. This work ranges from enabling systems leadership and whole systems thinking to support the implementation of the Well being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015, to establishing a North Wales Children’s University and leadership education for Children and Young People focused on leadership, health & well being, skills for the future, aspiration, and food poverty. Earlier this year, she was recognised in the Future Generations Changemaker 100 list for Wales.

Dr. Gerardo Arriaga-Garcia is a Research Fellow at City-REDI, Business School, where he leads an inclusive innovation research agenda. His work centres on developing tailored frameworks and toolkits to enhance place-based, inclusive local innovation ecosystems.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In the third episode of Placecast, Dr Abigail Taylor explores with Chris Naylor and Jamie Ounan how effective place leadership—rooted in collaboration, local knowledge, ambition, and institutional reform—can drive inclusive and sustainable growth in communities.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast 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's only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Chris Naylor is a Managing Director at Inner Circle Consulting. He was previously the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. In 2020, Chris was named Municipal Journal's Chief Executive of the year. He was also seconded to Birmingham City Council as the CEO, supporting, among other things, their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

Jamie Ounan is the Executive Chair and founder of Inner Circle, which helps leaders across the UK to reform public services. Jamie has been a public sector reformer and transformer for over 20 years, supporting senior leaders within the public sector to prepare for change within complex systems and then enabling them to deliver the mission-critical elements of this. Jamie is also part of the LPIP hub leadership team.

Abigail Taylor is a Research Fellow at City-REDI, University of Birmingham, leading the place leadership theme for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

Transcript from the podcast

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.