The University of Oxford has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Liverpool, Oxfordshire County Council, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, aiming to tackle global challenges, boost the national economy, and accelerate innovation.
Oxford University told Cherwell that the partnership between these two world-famous cities will provide “a coherent UK pathway from research and company creation through to scale up, industrialisation, and global market growth, supporting the national industry to drive forward economic growth and productivity for the UK”.
The MoU was signed on 19th February at a special partnership event held at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities by Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford; Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool; Steve Rotheram; and Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Oxfordshire County Council. The event recognised the history of engagement and collaboration across key areas of research and innovation by Oxford and Liverpool.
The collaboration, which has yet to be given an official name, aims to create opportunities for the UK to tackle global issues related to climate change and health, whilst strengthening existing collaboration in chemistry and materials science research. Key research priorities include vaccination development, infection prevention and control, neurosciences, and women’s health.
Oxford University told Cherwell that the partnership also aims to “advance entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange through shared events, programmes, and the co-development of student- and academic-led venture creation activities”.
“The partnership will support firms, talent, intellectual property, and investment to be retained and grown domestically, while attracting additional domestic and international investment…this supports delivery of the UK Industrial Strategy and national growth mission.”
In a press release, Tracey stated: “This partnership signals a new era for yet deeper collaboration between our two vibrant cities. By connecting the outstanding research, innovation and talent in our regions, we can support companies tackling the greatest challenges of our time to start, stay and scale-up in the UK.”
Jones added that the signing of the MoU reflects the University of Liverpool’s commitment “to tackle global challenges through research, innovation and partnerships in key areas such as materials discovery, infection resilience and therapeutics innovation”.
Rotherham said: “I’ve set a clear ambition for the Liverpool City Region to invest 5% of our GVA (Gross Value Added) into research and development by 2030”, adding that “this partnership with Oxford is the next step on that journey.
“By linking two places with world-class brands, we can back British innovation, attract investment, and make sure that great ideas don’t drift overseas but are developed, scaled and rooted here in the UK.” He also stated that this collaboration “will deliver benefits far beyond Liverpool or Oxford – showing what’s possible when regions come together”.
Paul Vernon, Executive Director of Business and Innovation at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, said: “This partnership will accelerate discovery, support industry and bring new technologies to market, strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in science and innovation.”
The University told Cherwell that this alliance will commit “the two cities to work together to tackle global challenges through research, innovation, and partnership”.
