Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is redefining the role of a modern business school by embracing the concept of a civic management school.

This approach is deeply rooted in the idea of making universities more integrated into the local community, actively solving regional problems through research, and creating practical, design-led innovations. LUMS exemplifies how universities can foster a deep sense of community engagement while directly contributing to the broader ‘place agenda’, which emphasises the unique role of local institutions in addressing regional challenges and improving public life.

The ‘place agenda’ in action

The ‘place agenda’ reflects a growing national emphasis on shifting power away from central authorities and empowering local communities. Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has embraced this agenda by engaging with stakeholders across its region.

According to Professor Maria Piacentini, LUMS Associate Dean for Research, “The I-Connect project is a prime example of how LUMS fosters collaboration among citizens, policymakers, and businesses to deliver transformative solutions to local challenges. Projects such as this are essential not only for addressing regional issues but also for aligning with global sustainable development goals.”

Lancaster University’s strategic direction highlights the importance of embedding innovation in specific regional contexts to create a fairer, more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable society. By working in isolated rural communities and areas of poverty, LUMS contributes to socio-economic flourishing, improving the quality of life in these targeted areas. By driving innovation that generates tangible, long-lasting impacts on communities, projects like I-Connect reflect our core commitment at LUMS—to produce credible, impactful research that improves lives and uncovers solutions to the most pressing challenges of the future.

I-Connect: A case study of civic engagement

The I-Connect project serves as an exemplary case of human-centred design-led innovation in local policymaking, bridging the gap between academia and societal impact. This project, led by an interdisciplinary team from Lancaster University (Professor Radka Newton, Dr Jekaterina Rindt and Dr Mirian Calvo), directly addresses global challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and inclusive mobility solutions. The project objectives correspond to the UN SDGs “#9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”, “#11 Sustainable Cities and Communities,” and “#17 Partnerships for the Goals”. By implementing human-centred, participatory, cross-sector approaches, I-Connect generated tangible changes in local governance, public transport policy, and community engagement while fostering national and international recognition for its innovative methods.

As Jane Dalton, Director of Groundswell Innovation, notes, “Engaging with I-Connect catalysed collaboration between businesses, policymakers, and charities, fostering impactful, design-driven solutions for sustainable transport and net-zero goals.” The project directly led to initiatives such as the proposal for a sustainable cycle hub in Morecambe and the development of the “Bikecharge in a Box” solution to expand the e-bike charging network across the North-West, promoting sustainable, long-distance cycling.

The project also demonstrated the power of universities leading community-driven change. Lancaster City Council’s Climate Change Policy Officer, Susanna Dart, highlighted the unique role of LUMS in this process: “The I-Connect project revealed that we have a gap in data to plan for and make policies that enable multi-modal transport use. Detecting and defining the problem is important to generate truly relevant policy proposals.” This type of insight—bridging academic research and real-world policymaking—underscores the value of universities as civic institutions.

Moreover, the I-Connect project had a lasting impact on how Lancaster City Council approaches public engagement. The project helped the council move beyond traditional engagement methods, where residents are often only presented with information, to more dynamic, participatory methods. The Public Realm Improvement Lead commented, “I-Connect methods are more engaging because they’re visual, people can see it, understand it, it’s more alive.” This shift toward more interactive engagement methods signifies the far-reaching influence of LUMS’s civic initiatives on local governance.

Scaling impact: From local to national influence

While rooted in local issues, the I-Connect project’s influence has extended well beyond Lancaster. It has informed national policy discussions, including the submission of evidence to the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology’s inquiry into “Planning for Net-Zero” and the National Centre on Accessible Transport’s call for evidence on inclusive transport options. The project also garnered recognition at national and international forums, such as the Connected Place Catapult and the Design Research Society Annual Conference, where its innovative methods were showcased as a model for future policymaking. Recently published in the form of a Policy briefing, the project team has been able to showcase how research creates a tangible impact through practice-based publication outlets.

Conclusion: Lancaster University Management School as a Civic Model

Lancaster University Management School is a prime example of how business schools can act as civic institutions, playing a vital role in community engagement and problem-solving. Through projects like I-Connect, LUMS has not only addressed pressing regional issues but also contributed to broader policy discussions on sustainability and innovation. The focus on human-centred design, collaboration, and long-term impact exemplifies what it means to be a civic management school—one that empowers communities, fosters trust, and leads transformative, sustainable change.

As Lancaster University’s broader strategic vision emphasises, “Through innovation, we can create a fairer society across geographies and groups.” LUMS is proving that innovation, particularly when rooted in understanding the unique challenges and potential of specific places, can truly transform local communities and inspire meaningful changes beyond.

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