1. www.wmro.org The Regional Observatory… in a nutshell September 2008

2. www.wmro.org  A background to the Observatory  Our Research  Web and data activity  Regional Data and Intelligence Network The next 15 minutes…

3. www.wmro.org A background to the Observatory  Set up in 2002 to improve the quality of strategy formulation and policy making in the West Midlands  One of nine regional observatories – all very different!  Government wants better evidence- based regional policy making  “Better Evidence… Better Policy”

4. www.wmro.org  The 2008 State of the Region report  Evidence to underpin the review of the Regional Economic Strategy  Developing indicators of economic and social inclusion  Research into economic migrants in the West Midlands  Developing an Integrated Policy Model  Regional Integrated Economic Assessment General Research

5. www.wmro.org Skills Research  Providing evidence to support the Regional Skills Partnership  Annual skills assessment – available end 2008  Examples of our Skills research - Graduate retention and attraction - Learning amongst disadvantaged groups - Business benefits to investing in training - Meeting the Leitch review targets

6. www.wmro.org  Facts and figures, maps, strategies and organisations  On-line Regional Resource Catalogue  Directory of Specialists  Events (ours and 3 rd parties)  Gaps in knowledge (regional research gaps)  Discussion forums Find out more… www.wmro.org

7. www.wmro.org Regional Data & Intelligence Network (RDIN)  Network of researchers and policy- makers from across the region  About 600 members drawn from a wide range of organisations Four topic groups:  Society, Demography and Health  Economy and Labour Force  Environment and Natural Resources  Geographical Information

8. www.wmro.org  16 th September 2008 “New and Emerging Challenges of population change” Birmingham  13 th October 2008 Observatory Conference “Better Evidence… Better Policy” Coventry  19 th November 2008 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) day Birmingham More information at www.wmro.org/events.aspx Forthcoming events…

9. www.wmro.org Contact Oliver Nicholls Head of Communications & Networking t: 0121 202 3244 e: oliver.nicholls@wmro.org w: www.wmro.org Level 3, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.