Starting in 2008, our State of the Region process changed.
Building on the success of our State of the Region reports, we aim to make the evidence we produce even more relevant to the needs of policy makers. With the new process we also aim to strengthen the way in which that evidence is used to inform policy.
Thematic dialogues
The new process consists of a series of thematic dialogues. Some have a limited duration, others may become long-term arrangements.
Each thematic dialogue starts with a workshop bringing the key policy and decision makers together with the researchers and analysts who supply evidence. The workshop will receive 'think-pieces' from experts in the field drawn from across the country to provide a fresh perspective and stimulate debate.
Following the workshop, two key individuals—one policy and one research—together lead work to develop the regional evidence base and link it to policy developments. They involve colleagues from across the West Midlands and beyond the region throughout the process.
The thematic dialogues currently underway are:
During the course of the dialogue we'll produce a thematic report (sometimes more). These reports will set out the key evidence and how it links to policy. They will be discussed at a final workshop, at which actions will be agreed to ensure that the process brings real benefits.
We've published six thematic reports so far:
Once a year, the findings from the process will be drawn together into a short annual synthesis report and published at our Annual Conference. The conference also provides another opportunity for the policy and research communities to engage with the debate.
Our vision is ambitious but we believe it will bring long-term benefits to the West Midlands. Together we can make sure that we deliver those benefits. We hope you will help us to do so.
Real lives, real issues
In 2004, we published our first full State of the Region report, Real lives, Real issues. Since then, we have produced three update reports, building on the original 2004 report by providing a greater depth of evidence in a series of thematic areas.
The reports have played an important role in raising awareness of some key evidence about the region. They have been a success; users value them and find them informative and accessible.
Evidence-based policy
But we want to achieve more. The influence of the reports on policies and strategies has been limited. We want to make sure that regional (and local) policies are rooted in evidence—and that the evidence we produce is fit for that purpose. This is what the new State of the Region process is all about.
Evidence-based policy can only become a reality if those producing the evidence and those making the policy work together. There needs to be an ongoing dialogue between the two groups, not just occasional contact. The new State of the Region process provides exactly that.