Richard Brabner Civic 2.0
New Professor of Civic Engagement announced
Published on: 3 December 2025
Newcastle University has appointed Richard Brabner as Visiting Professor of Civic Engagement to increase visibility of the University’s work in this area and drive additional impact.
Richard’s appointment accompanies the announcement that the University is one of five founding partners in Civic 2.0 – a national campaign to enable UK universities to become an international exemplar of best practice in working with their local partners and to advocate for the role universities have in their places.
He has over a decade of experience as a senior leader in the higher education and social purpose sectors. Most recently he was Director of the UPP Foundation, an independent charity which researches how the higher education sector can deliver public benefit. Here, with Lord Kerslake, he established and led the Civic University Commission, helping universities open up opportunities and enhance their civic engagement activity.
Under his leadership the Foundation also invested over £2m in over 40 pilot projects, including the creation of Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter.
As Visiting Professor, Richard will lead the University’s involvement in the Civic 2.0 campaign to drive economic growth, support communities and provide opportunities.
The campaign - which includes the University of Birmingham, Queen Mary University of London, Midlands Innovation and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) -aims to promote the role of universities in their towns, cities and regions. It will connect them with business, the NHS, local government and schools and colleges to ensure greater visibility of universities in the places they are part of.
It will also advocate regionally and nationally for the civic university agenda to support the policymaking process and will develop practical and evidence-based policies as well as highlighting examples of best practice.
Richard said: “The role universities play in their towns, cities and regions to help kickstart local economic growth, and support social renewal, has never been more important. The UK has stark geographical inequalities and universities – in partnership with other institutions, sectors and communities – are part of the solution.
“I am passionate about the civic university agenda, and I am absolutely delighted and honoured to become a Visiting Professor of Civic Engagement at Newcastle University. With the likes of John Goddard and now Jane Robinson leading the institution’s approach to its region, Newcastle has been at forefront of the civic university movement for decades. I am really looking forward to working with Jane, Jo Fox and Chris Day as we advocate for this role within Newcastle, across the sector and with the government.”
Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Engagement and Place, Newcastle University, said: “Newcastle University is fundamentally rooted in its civic mission. We are delighted to have appointed Richard Brabner – who played a leading role in the Civic University Commission - as a Visiting Professor of Civic Engagement.
“We want to ensure the unique and essential role universities play in driving regional and national growth—from skills and social mobility to research and innovation—is recognised at the highest levels. Our goal is to leverage these collaborations to highlight how place-based engagement is key to addressing the UK's most pressing challenges and delivering tangible positive change for the whole country.”
