Read: University of Derby commits to levelling up framework

The University of Derby has signed up to a pioneering new levelling up framework to measure its social impact. 

In partnership with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening, the University will now develop a Levelling Up Action Plan to map its activity against a new set of goals. The plan will build on the University’s work to increase access to higher education and wide-ranging employment opportunities for students from a range of backgrounds. 

Designed to focus efforts on driving equality of opportunity at key life stages, the Levelling Up Goals are the UK’s first levelling up framework. The 14 Goals provide a universal benchmark for organisations to measure their impact against. 

The University of Derby joins a growing number of organisations assessing their best practice and measuring their impact against the goals, including the BBC, BP, Cisco, Northumbria University and the University of Bradford, as well as a number of NHS Trusts and local authorities. 

A long-term campaigner on levelling up both in and out of Parliament, in 2018 Justine Greening co-founded the Social Mobility Pledge to bring businesses and universities together to improve social mobility. The Levelling Up Goals are the first major piece of work launched by the most committed of these organisations, The Purpose Coalition.

Justine Greening said: “Truly levelling up the UK can only be achieved by action from anchor institutions within communities, and universities have a crucial role to play. Our Levelling Up Goals give a clear benchmark for organisations to measure their impact and identify areas where they can go further.

“The University of Derby is a great example of a purpose-led organisation with leaders who are committed to levelling up. I’m looking forward to working with Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL and her team on their Levelling Up Action Plan and maximising the University’s social impact in Derby and the surrounding areas.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL

Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby, adds: “I am delighted to have signed the Levelling Up Action Plan on behalf of the University of Derby. As the only University in our city and county, being a force for positive impact in our region is central to our ethos, and measuring that impact is vital to demonstrate the value of our role to our students and our communities.

“We pride ourselves on our commitment to social mobility and fair access, which has been recognised by three national awards during the past 12 months. Ensuring that everyone is able to access higher education opportunities has never been more important, as we work with businesses and other employers to provide the training and skills our economy needs to bounce back from the pandemic.”