Recap and Reflection: The Local Policy Innovation Partnership's (LPIP) Place-Based Conference

On November 4th, The Exchange in Birmingham was abuzz as academics, policymakers, funders, and practitioners gathered for the Place Partnership Conference, hosted by the UKRI funded Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub. Bringing together the four LPIPs, created to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth and reduce regional disparities in the UK, as well as those like LRaPP who operate through a place-based lens, the event was designed to deepen understanding of policy-making and innovation in a local context. 

With LRaPP having successfully run the first phase of an LPIP to explore the retrofitting of London’s homes and a just transition to a net zero city by 2030, we welcomed the opportunity to explore with others how evidence-based approaches and strong partnerships can shape transformative outcomes for communities. 

Welcome and Framing the Day 

Bec Riley, Director- Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub, and Paul Manners, Co-director National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, representing the LPIP Hub, set the stage by acknowledging the challenges of working in a dynamic system, where shifts in funding and policy priorities require resilience and adaptability. They emphasized the conference’s dual aims: fostering shared learning and surfacing new strategies to address local needs. Alice Taylor, Head of Public Policy Research and Place Strategy at UKRI, then shared the funder’s perspective, highlighting 'place' as a core pillar in national strategy and reiterated the value of coordinated, cross-sector approaches. 

Connecting and Catalyzing Policy Change 

The morning session addressed a fundamental question: How can evidence-based approaches catalyzse impactful policy change at the local level? Jamie Ounan, Director at Inner Circle Consulting opened by reflecting on the evolution of evidence in policymaking, noting its waning influence over the past two decades against the political context of austerity, leading to structural and operational constraints. Discussions explored the trade-offs between timely evidence delivery and methodological robustness, the importance of co-creation despite its complexity, and the risks of “cherry-picking” data to fit political agendas.  

There are many locked doors between what works and results: does this room hold any of these keys?

Key themes from the panel included: 

• Building Relationships: there is a need for academics and policymakers to bridge cultural gaps and develop mutual understanding. Policy processes are inherently complex, but deeper collaboration can yield meaningful results. 
• Timing: being opportunistic and seizing "windows of opportunity," where evidence can align with political and operational readiness to drive change. 
• Inclusive Language and Approaches: Annette Boaz, Co-Lead, Transforming Evidence, pointed out how jargon and linear, oversimplistic, metaphors like those of ‘policy pipelines’ often alienate stakeholders, advocating instead for relational and inclusive frameworks that reflect real-world complexities. 
• Strategic Alignment: robust evidence must align with national goals and public values, we need more systems thinking and trust-building across sectors, including funders. 

Scaffolding Innovation 

The afternoon turned its focus to innovation: What enables place-based innovation, and how can evidence guide it? Panels and discussions unpacked the nuances of innovation as both a process and an outcome, weaving incremental learning into everyday practices while carving out space for transformative ideas. 

• Risk and Experimentation: David Legg (Regional Manager for London and South East England, UKRI) called for a higher tolerance for risk, particularly in early-stage, business-led innovation.  
• Civic Engagement: Nina Ruddle (Head of Public Policy Engagement, Wrexham Glyndŵr University) shared lessons from the North Wales Public Sector Lab, where storytelling and localized narratives have proven more persuasive to decision-makers than data alone. 
• Overcoming Barriers: Barriers to innovation, such as restrictive intellectual property policies in universities, were discussed, with a call to prioritize knowledge transfer and real-world application over institutional silos. 
• The “Do Nothing” Option: innovation sometimes involves rethinking entrenched pathways or taking a step back to reflect on what truly matters. 

Group activities encouraged participants to create frameworks for innovation, considering factors like context, collaboration, and whether solutions should adapt existing resources or seek entirely new approaches. 

Key Takeaways and Actionable Steps 

As the day concluded, the conversation shifted to the bigger picture: How do the themes of Local, Policy, Innovation, and Partnerships interact to drive meaningful change? The following emerged: 

1. Place Matters: Effective policy and innovation must be rooted in the unique needs, challenges, and strengths of local communities. Contextual understanding is not just beneficial—it is essential. 
2. Collaboration is Key: Partnerships that cross disciplines and sectors unlock creativity and resilience. Investing in relationships, whether formal or informal, lays the groundwork for long-term success. 
3. Adaptability and Timing: Policymaking and innovation require agility to align with shifting opportunities and evolving evidence. 
4. Practical Tools and Narratives: Visual tools, storytelling, and relatable frameworks make complex ideas accessible, fostering greater buy-in from diverse stakeholders. 

The day closed with a call to action: participants agreed to continue building communities of practice and to share their learnings widely through mechanisms like podcasts and thematic networks. 

Looking Ahead 

The LPIP conference showcased the power of place-based approaches to tackle pressing challenges, blending evidence and innovation to craft a blueprint for transformative change. With the four LPIPs as pilots for broader adoption, one sentiment echoed clearly: true impact lies in the interplay of shared knowledge, inclusive practices, and a commitment to collective progress.