Liverpool and Oxford Unite in Landmark Innovation Partnership
Political and educational leaders from Liverpool and Oxford have formalised a strategic agreement designed to harness the intellectual capital of both regions to address global challenges. This collaboration involves the University of Liverpool, the University of Oxford, Oxfordshire County Council, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with a focus on linking academic research with commercial opportunities to drive scientific advancements and attract foreign investment to the UK.
Boosting Research and Development Investment
The partnership aims to enhance collaboration between two key national research campuses: the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) lab at Daresbury near Warrington and its counterpart at Harwell near Oxford. According to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, this initiative supports Mayor Steve Rotheram's goal to more than double investment in Research and Development (R&D) to £2 billion annually by 2030, potentially generating an additional 40,000 jobs.
Mayor Rotheram emphasised the region's historical role in innovation, stating, "For generations, the Liverpool City Region has been an engine of change. This spirit of innovation is central to my vision for a stronger, fairer economy. I aim to invest 5% of our GVA into R&D by 2030 to ensure breakthroughs create jobs locally." He added, "This partnership with Oxford will back British innovation, attract investment, and prevent great ideas from drifting overseas, instead developing them here in the UK."
Academic and Industry Perspectives
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, highlighted the partnership's focus on global challenges, saying, "This MoU reflects our commitment to tackle issues through research in areas like materials discovery and infection resilience. It aims to retain high-growth UK businesses, intellectual property, and talent within the country."
Sebastian Johnson, Director of Ecosystems at the Harwell Joint Venture and ARC Group, noted, "Extending collaboration between Liverpool and STFC's campuses at Daresbury and Harwell accelerates innovation and deepens industry engagement for both regions." Paul Vernon, Executive Director of Business and Innovation at STFC, added, "This partnership unites UK research strengths to translate science into real-world impact, strengthening our global leadership."
Future Prospects and Community Benefits
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, described the agreement as "a new era for deeper collaboration," enabling companies to start, stay, and scale-up in the UK. Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, emphasised the shared commitment to innovation, stating, "By working together, we can create pathways for business growth, high-quality employment, and prosperity for residents in both regions."
This partnership underscores a concerted effort to leverage regional assets, foster economic growth, and ensure that innovative ideas are cultivated within the UK, benefiting communities nationwide.
