As the Conservative leadership race enters its most important phase, there is increasing speculation over how committed the next prime minister will be to levelling up the United Kingdom.

And then there were five. As we hit the weekend, the Conservative Party is whittling down its leadership contenders to the final two, before the 160,000 strong membership make their choice over August. With leadership campaigns reaching fever pitch, any thought of a quiet summer recess for Conservative MPs seems to be rapidly receding.

As we prepare for a summer of sport, with the UK hosting the UEFA Women’s Euros, Professor Karen Stanton, Vice-Chancellor at Solent University, Southampton looks at the role universities and civic partnerships can play in levelling up our communities.

A new report has been launched to celebrate the wide ranging role that universities in the UK play in spreading opportunity. 

The University Best Practice White Paper sets out just some of the actions and projects that are having a direct impact on students and communities.

Universities playing a leading role in levelling up the UK and spreading opportunity have been celebrated at the the Levelling Up Universities Awards 2022.

Every month on our guest blog we get the thoughts of leaders in the higher education sector.

This month we hear from Professor Mark Smith, Vice Chancellor of Southampton University, about levelling up and the importance of diverse views to drive change.

In our latest blog, Anne Milton talks obesity and its extensive impact on physical and mental wellbeing.

In our latest blog, Lord Walney discusses hybrid working and the evolving role of the office.

Former Cabinet Minister, the Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, has formally launched the University of Worcester’s new Levelling Up report during a special visit to the City.

It’s National Loneliness Week and although the world has once again opened up, and most of us are free to carry on with our lives as usual, the problem of loneliness hasn’t gone away.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has signed up to a new framework to measure its social impact. UWTSD has partnered with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening to produce an impact report that will map its activities against the Purpose Goals framework.

The University of Derby has launched a Levelling Up Impact Report in partnership with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening. 

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference - the tiny adjustments we can make to our lives, often over time, that will significantly improve them. That is certainly true of our physical health, but it is also true of our mental health. Often the two are inextricably linked.

Read our monthly guest blog from leaders in the higher education sector. This month we hear from Professor Karen Bryan, Vice-Chancellor of York St John University.

A group of leading employers has launched a major UK campaign to make tracking and reporting socio-economic diversity common practice in boardrooms across the UK.

Northumbria University has launched a new report that sets out its social impact and identifies where it is spreading opportunity to those who need it most. The Social Mobility Impact Report has been developed in partnership with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening.   

The University of Southampton has launched a Levelling Up Impact Report in partnership with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening.

Response from Rt Hon Justine to higher education policy statement and reform consultation.

The BBC has set out a plan to ensure its social, cultural and economic benefits are felt in every community across the UK. The broadcaster has been working with The Purpose Coalition chaired by Justine Greening and, in a report published today, the BBC sets out how it will reach all corners of the UK’s regions and nations to support levelling up and increase equality of opportunity.

Read our monthly guest blog from leaders in the higher education sector. This month we hear from Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Staffordshire University.