Earlier this year, the Social Mobility Commission published two reviews which specifically explore the link between innovation and social mobility; and productivity and social mobility. Having access to work opportunities is a key factor in supporting social mobility – these reports explore how innovation and productivity affect different individuals in different areas of the country.
This event will discuss the content of these think pieces:
- Innovation and Social Mobility: Two sides of the Same Coin
- Spatial agglomeration, productivity and inequality
The panel will include the following speakers:
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- Professor Helen Higson OBE DL, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Aston University
- Professor Sir Richard Blundell CBE FBA, David Ricardo Chair of Political Economy at University College London
The event will be Chaired by Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, Rob Wilson.
At the event, the panel will discuss the critical relationship between innovation, productivity and social mobility and how, when taken together, they can lead to greater social mobility in the labour market. There will be an opportunity to hear from, and ask questions to, the author of one of the pieces, local leaders and the Social Mobility Commission.
This event links directly with one of our key policy themes – Growing Opportunities – which focuses on the role of innovation, productivity and economic growth has in improving opportunities and outcomes for all.
About our speakers
Rob Wilson, Deputy Chair, Social Mobility Commission
Rob Wilson is a former Member of Parliament for Reading East and Minister in the Cameron and May Governments. He spent 12 years as an MP and 10 years serving on the Conservative front bench with roles in higher education, health, DCMS, Treasury and Cabinet Office. He spent three years as Minister for Civil Society 2014-17.
Before politics, Rob was an entrepreneur and founded businesses in the health and technology sectors using innovative and disruptive technology to develop new markets. He continues to have a strong interest in new technology. Since leaving Whitehall and Parliament, he has invested in new tech companies and taken a number of business roles that are in areas of interest, but particularly in new breakthrough technologies and products.
Rob is chairman of national wheelchair sports charity WheelPower, that supports people with spinal injuries and other disabilities into sport. Rob writes for the Daily Telegraph and has published two books ‘5 Days to Power’ and ‘Eye of the Storm’.
Professor Helen Higson OBE DL, Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management in Aston Business School
Helen was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Aston University. She is now Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management in Aston Business School. Helen is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE and a National Teaching Fellow. Her recent research, policy and consultancy work includes intercultural training, developing employability and skills development, facilitating a coaching culture, and closing the degree attainment gap. She was Vice Chair of the SRHE Board and is currently Chair of Navitas UK.
Professor Sir Richard Blundell CBE FBA, David Ricardo Chair of Political Economy at University College London
Professor Sir Richard Blundell, CBE FBA holds the David Ricardo Chair of Political Economy at University College London where he was appointed Professor of Economics in 1984.
He was the founding Director of the ESRC Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy (CPP) at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) IFS where he was Research Director 1986 – 2016 and is currently Co-Director and Research Fellow at IFS CPP. He was Knighted in the 2014 New Years Honours list for services to Economics and Social Science; he was awarded the CBE in 2006.