Ask the expert: Professor Duncan Ivison
23 Apr 2026
Join The Productivity Institute for a series of short live, interactive podcasts bringing together leading experts to discuss the key drivers of productivity in the UK economy, hosted by Bart van Ark (Managing Director of The Productivity Institute).
Professor Duncan Ivison: Skills, education and regional productivity
Thursday, 30 April (8.30am – 9am)
Skills are central to regional economic performance, but translating the supply of graduates into broader workforce productivity remains a challenge.
In this session, Duncan Ivison will discuss the relationship between higher education, further education and place-based development.
Using Greater Manchester as an illustration and drawing on international examples, the conversation will explore how policy can strengthen skills systems, support graduate retention and migration, and better connect education with regional economic growth.
Philip McCann: Regional productivity and place-based growth
Monday, 27 April (8.30am – 9am)
Productivity varies widely across regions, shaping economic opportunity and growth.
In this conversation, we explore with Philip McCann why these regional productivity gaps emerge and what effective place-based policy can do to address them.
Drawing on international evidence and Philip’s extensive research on regional development, the discussion will consider how cities and regions can strengthen their economic performance and contribute to national productivity growth.