Do UK Research and Collaborations

However, before we discuss in detail in the next section the statistical basis of our econometric approach, it is first important to outline the principles of the data linking underpinning the 6 construction of the indicators. [...] In terms of the regional convergence/divergence/Levelling Up discussions, one of the key insights arising from the application of our collaboration construction methodology to the UKRI data is that over the last two decades, in terms of geography, the top cross-regional combination of recipients was between London and the South East. [...] In addition to analysing the direct effect of the number of regional projects and the magnitude of regional grants acquired for the NUTS2 (ITL2) region on regional economic prosperity, we also consider the potential mediation effect of public funding on the average regional R&D expenditures in the private sector. [...] As a result, we observe that most of the significant coefficients are at the between-region level, and in all of our models, the number of regional projects has a larger economic development effect than the scale of the funds deployed. [...] The top part of the table presents the coefficients for the within part of the model (within-group comparison, individual regional performance) – how these coefficients affect UK regions independently, while the bottom part of the table refers to the between part of the model (between regions comparison) – how these relationships differ between regions.