Former Cabinet Minister, the Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, has formally launched the University of Worcester’s new Levelling Up report during a special visit to the City.
The Rt Hon Justine Greening and Professor David Green CBE DL with a copy of the University's new Levelling Up report
Ms Greening delivered a talk at The Hive on Tuesday as part of the HiveAt10 celebrations. Her talk, titled ‘Universities as engines of social mobility’ focussed on how the Country’s higher education institutions like Worcester are at the centre of levelling up communities.
As part of the talk, Ms Greening, who served as Secretary of State for Education 2016-18, Secretary of State for International Development 2012-16, Secretary of State for Transport 2011-12 and Economic Secretary to HM Treasury 2010-11, formally launched the University’s Levelling Up report, which sets out how the University is working in partnership to provide opportunities and increase social mobility.
Justine Greening said: “The University of Worcester, under the leadership of Professor David Green, has demonstrated a commitment to being an anchor institution and spreading equality of opportunity. With the current cost of living crisis, there has never been a more important time for universities to articulate their purpose and make sure they are having a wider social impact.
“The University of Worcester has positioned itself at the heart of the city by creatively opening up its facilities for public benefit. Having visited The Hive as part of its 10 year celebrations, I saw and heard first-hand the incredibly positive impact it has on both students and local communities. It is a shining example of social mobility and how universities can make a real difference.”
One of Britain’s most influential campaigners for improved opportunities, social mobility and levelling up both inside Government and outside, in 2018 Ms Greening co-founded the Social Mobility Pledge to bring organisations together to improve social mobility.
She then went on to launch the Levelling Up Goals, which provide a framework to focus efforts on driving equality of opportunity at key life stages.
Professor David Green CBE, DL Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, which is one of the UK’s top universities for inclusion and social mobility said: “We have been honoured to work with Justine and her team on producing our Levelling Up report and were delighted to welcome her to The Hive, as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, to formally launch the report.
“Colleagues across the University are very committed to providing an outstanding high quality education for individuals, that is driven by an inclusive ethos, as well as engaging in practical partnerships that create opportunity for people and their communities.”
Ms Greening is also a notable campaigner for women and girls and played a key role in ensuring that the UN's Sustainable Development Goal for Gender Equality was included in the Goals (SDG 5).
When Times Higher Education (THE) first reported on University Impact in 2019, it found that the University of Worcester was number one in the UK and number four in the world for Gender Equality. Worcester has been the top University in the UK for fair gender pay for all 5 years since the UK Gender Pay Gap reporting was launched.
The multi award-winning Hive, which was opened by HM The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee year in 2012, is Britain’s first university and public library and has regularly been among the most visited libraries in the UK.
The HiveAt10 is a celebration of the successful 10-year partnership between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council to create this facility.
Over the next few months there will be a series of events and exhibitions that showcase what The Hive has to offer, past, present and future.