University of Derby Regional Economic Observatory

The University of Derby Regional Economic Observatory (UDREO) is building a robust evidence base to inform economic and social policy deliberations, engage with people and businesses and produce analysis to support engagement with national government policy. We will engage with the public and businesses to inform our research agendas.

Our aims

UDREO aims to inform policy in a rigorous way so will collect new empirical data on business intelligence, sustainable futures, labour markets and population-level social attitudes.

Research Centre Leads

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Mark Gilman

Mark has a particular interest in the areas of SME performance, growth and human resource management. He enjoys translating his research into tools that can help business leaders understand the dynami...

Our research

Business intelligence will capture the dynamics of local business activity including the size distribution of businesses, the dynamics of growth of firms and sectors and barriers to growth including access to finance, skills and working premises etc. We will also consider what spatial markets businesses operate in, their innovative capabilities, linkages and networks of firms, and the nature of the competitive environment they face.

Sustainable futures will capture the dynamics of a healthy environment (including net zero, protecting nature, zero waste), healthy business (including green growth, energy efficiency, new markets, good governance and responsible management) and a healthy society/community (including charitable, voluntary or community projects, social value and social responsibility).

Labour market intelligence will capture the dynamics of flows into and out of the labour market, the distribution of the working population across occupations and sectors, and data on work experience, job skills, training needs, career pathways, skills gaps (and skills provision), working conditions, and the matching of workers to jobs and industry sectors. We will also capture travel-to-work areas and the dynamics of workers' flows into and out of cities and towns.

Population and social attitudes will capture the dynamics of local social attitudes such as priorities for public expenditure, satisfaction with local services and infrastructure, and environmental issues. The public views on issues relating to crime, policing, health, transport, and education will be sought also.

This work benefits from two main research clusters:

However, it also takes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on the expertise of other research clusters where required.

Research Clusters

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Applied Economics and Enterprise Research Cluster

The aim of this research cluster is to contribute to an efficient, equitable, and sustainable future by generating societal impact through evidence-based policy interventions.

Case studies

David Smith
DS Performance

DS Performance is a sports performance company, supplying sport-specific development strategies through strength and conditioning support for a range of sports.

Zaremba Marsden

Nutrition and Retreat is a new venture for Zaremba Marsden Ltd — a small business based in Matlock. Read the case study to find out more.

How will the initiative support our region?

Mark Gilman, Professor of Economics leads the University of Derby Regional Economic Observatory. Here he shares more about why the initiative was first developed and how it will support the local region.

Mark Gilman, Professor of Economics shares why the University of Derby Regional Economic Observatory was developed and how it will support the local region.

View Regional Economic Observatory video transcript

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If you have any questions about the Regional Economic Observatory or would like to learn more about business services we provide, please complete the form below.

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