In stage two of the initiative, research projects were commissioned relating to 5 themes. These themes were:
- Knowledge flows to and from HE, encompassing knowledge creation, exchange and utilisation
- The teaching and deployment of students and graduates
- The competitiveness and attractiveness of places, including regions (e.g. Scotland, Wales, South West England, Northern Ireland, sub-regions (e.g Mid-Wales, Humberside), cities and towns
- Specific communities and social groups and regional, sub-regional and local levels
- International (including European) and trans-regional economic, social and cultural interactions with the host region