Arc Universities

Dr. Winifred Soribe has taken the lead in the 2024 Arc Universities Group Student Panel, guiding a dynamic collaboration of PhD students from across region, to explore how the region can enhance global quality of life, sustainability, and economic development. In this blog, she examines how Universities can drive collaboration and innovation, focusing on the role of PhD students in transforming the region into a global supercluster for research and entrepreneurship.

 

The Oxford to Cambridge region is a vibrant area of innovation and economic growth in the UK. This region encompasses not only Oxford and Cambridge but also other important cities such as Milton Keynes, Northampton, and Bedford. Universities within these cities, such as the University of Bedfordshire, Cranfield University, Anglia Ruskin University, Oxford Brookes University, Buckinghamshire New University, and the Open University in Milton Keynes, play pivotal roles in driving regional growth alongside the globally renowned institutions of Oxford and Cambridge.   

The Arc Universities Group (AUG) represents a collaboration of universities united in a shared mission to transform the region into a leading global innovation super-cluster. One significant initiative toward this goal is the annual Student Panel, which brings together PhD students from all eight member universities to collaborate and explore ways to position the region at the forefront of global quality of life, sustainability, skill development, infrastructure, and investment.   

The 2024 AUG student panel has featured a strong representation of PhD researchers who had engaged in several sessions over five months. These discussions culminated in a final session attended by notable speakers, including Russell Schofield-Bezer, Non-executive Director of UKRI, Jens Tholstrup of Oxford Innovation, and Duncan McCunn, CEO of Cambridge &, Supercluster Board. This session focused on finance and investment strategies to foster regional growth.   

Russell Schofield-Bezer shared impressive statistics: the University of Oxford has spun out 62 companies, while the University of Cambridge has spun out 45. These figures outpace those of other universities within the region, prompting discussions on how to replicate such success across other institutions. Duncan McCunn highlighted how different cities and universities within the region could contribute—for instance, using Milton Keynes for logistics and Cranfield for hydrogen fuel research.   

For the region’s economic prosperity to be fully realized, a more balanced allocation of resources is necessary. Overflows from Oxford and Cambridge could be absorbed by neighbouring cities such as Bedford, Peterborough, Luton, and Milton Keynes. Best practices from these two iconic institutions can be shared across the region to foster a robust research culture, especially as universities strive to diversify revenue streams amid policy changes. Fostering entrepreneurship among research students is crucial, as core teaching universities often lack resources to support such efforts. As Jens Tholstrup aptly noted,

“As an entrepreneur, you have to persevere and break down barriers on your path to success.”   

The session concluded with an insightful question from student panellist Gurpreet Singh: “What can the Arc Universities Group do to help PhD students from member universities commercialise their research outputs?” This question is central not only to AUG but also to all partner organisations. Successful innovation clusters such as Silicon Valley, Boston, and Paris are built on strong collaboration, a culture of openness, and an exchange of ideas that are essential for creating companies that drive economic growth through jobs, tax revenues, and solutions to pressing global challenges.   

If you have ideas about fostering collaboration between member universities, we encourage you to get in touch.

Dr Winifred Soribe

AUG Student Panel Consultant Director

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