Our 2008 Observatory Conference took place at the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry on Monday 13th October 2008.
Left to right: Richard Hyde (Chair of the Observatory), Ian Austin MP (Minister for the West Midlands), Rosie Paskins (Chief Executive of the Observatory) with the State of the Region 2008 report.
Ian Austin MP, Minister for the West Midlands
In his first speech as Regional Minister, Ian Austin stressed the importance of having a robust evidence base for the region’s strategies and urged policy makers and research experts to work in closer proximity.
Ian said: “Regional and local policy decisions made in the West Midlands must be firmly rooted in evidence. Such decisions affect jobs, homes and ultimately people’s quality of life.
“Through the State of the Region process it is good to see that the West Midlands Regional Observatory is putting in place practical measures to bring policy makers and research experts together.”
Ian launched the Observatory's State of the Region report, which summarises findings on topics including the environment, population change, gender and ethnic diversity, the regional economy, health and education.
Download Ian's speech
Ian's speech (PDF, 36KB) is available in PDF.
Rosie Paskins, Chief Executive of the Observatory
Rosie Paskins, Chief Executive of the Observatory, said: “The work of the Observatory helps ensure that important decisions in the region are based on real issues and real evidence.
“Our research is valued by fellow professionals but should also be fully utilised to improve regional policies through enhanced knowledge. Put simply, better evidence will ultimately lead to better policy.
“Our new process for the State of the Region is less about delivering a major annual report on a given topic, but more about creating a dialogue between researchers and policy and decision makers.
Policy challenges outlined in the latest State of the Region report include raising participation in cultural and sporting activities, addressing the needs of an ageing population, raising qualification levels, protecting the natural environment and improving access to services to raise quality of life.”
Rosie Paskins added: “The future of the West Midlands will depend on how well it responds to these challenges. Meeting them will require the development of better evidence and strengthening the links to policy making.”
Download Rosie's speech
Better evidence... better policy: the Observatory's contribution
Question and answer session with panel members
There was also a panel of experts who answered questions from a set of round table discussions. The panel members (from left to right in the photo) were Mike Beasley, Julia King, Cllr Roger Phillips, Mike Barnes, Jonnie Turpie and Sarabjeet Soar.
Download the Q & A session
File: MP3 audio, 21.7MB
Duration: 46:25
Afternoon speakers
The other speakers in the main room at the conference were:
Professor Carl Chinn
Professor Alan Harding
Life after the sub-national review: context and challenges
Afternoon workshops
There were five workshop sessions. Each workshop set out to give delegates a more "hands-on" experience of how the Observatory is working to engage evidence and policy, and involve the delegates in that process. Summaries of each workshop and downloadable presentations are available:
The presentations and the question and answer session with the panel can be downloaded below as they become available. You can download the speeches below as MP3s direct to your computer and listen using your preferred media player.
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Ian Austin MP, Minister for the West Midlands
Ian's speech (PDF, 36KB) is available in PDF.
Rosie Paskins, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Regional Observatory
Better evidence... better policy: the Observatory's contribution
Question and answer session with panel members
Professor Carl Chinn
Professor Alan Harding
Life after the sub-national review: context and challenges