We welcomed members of America’s Rural Future, the Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, to Durham for an international field hearing.
The visit put Durham’s research expertise at the heart of international discussions about rural prosperity, regional economic development and tackling geographical inequalities.
It was collaboratively organised by Durham University Business School, the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
Durham formed part of the Commission’s UK field visit, exploring how different countries and regions approach rural regeneration and economic resilience.
Hosted at Durham University Business School, the programme brought together Durham academics with regional leaders and policy experts from the UK and overseas.
Drawing on research and expertise from Durham and beyond, discussions explored national and regional development strategies, such as our Smart & Scale programme.
Discussion also centred on how universities, government, business and civic institutions can work together to support communities and address geographical economic inequalities.
North East England provided an important setting for the discussions, combining academic expertise with the experiences of a region undergoing significant economic change.
A key part of the programme brought together Dr Fiona Hill and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness for a fireside conversation, introduced by Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden.
They explored how devolving powers and harnessing North East England’s strong regional identity could turn pride into an economic asset, supporting culture and regeneration. Mayor McGuinness emphasised the importance of empowering people through decisions made locally, with improving quality of life as the ultimate goal.
This emphasis on communities shaping change to improve people’s lives was also reflected in the discussion of Durham’s mining heritage.
Dr Fiona Hill highlighted the role of mining communities in driving social progress. She described how miners pushed for improvements in workplace safety, drove political change and fostered an ethos of making life better.
The visit reflects Durham’s wider commitment to connect world-leading research with policymaking and the economic and societal challenges facing communities locally, nationally and internationally.
The programme involved regional partners, including the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, alongside UK and international policy experts.
As part of the visit, the Commission also toured Energy Central Campus in Blyth in which we are a partner.
Through Durham EDGE and the Business School’s Policy Hub, academics are working with policymakers, businesses and regional partners to share evidence, develop new ideas and help inform approaches to regional growth.
The visit also connects the Business School with the Commission’s work, creating opportunities for continued knowledge exchange on rural and regional policy.
The visit of the Brookings–AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity to Durham provides an important opportunity to connect international perspectives with regional expertise. Regional prosperity requires universities, businesses, policymakers and communities to work together to translate research into meaningful economic opportunities and support inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Commission is co-chaired by former Senator Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat of North Dakota) and former Governor Chris Sununu (Republican of New Hampshire), who are gathering evidence through research, public engagement, site visits, hearings and consultation.
Its work covers areas including the economy and workforce, demographics and connectivity, health, natural resources and climate resilience, and policy and governance.
Insights from its UK visit will contribute to the Commission’s wider work examining how approaches from elsewhere could inform future US rural policy.
The Commission plans to publish a national rural strategy in late 2027.
Image caption (left-right): Brett Orrell, Senior Fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, Dr Fiona Hill, Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow at Brookings, Mayor Kim McGuinness, Professor Karen O'Brien and Professor Kieran Fernandes,
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