In stage two of the initiative, research projects were commissioned relating to 5 themes. These themes were:

1. Knowledge flows to and from HE, encompassing knowledge creation, exchange and utilisation
2. The teaching and deployment of students and graduates
3. 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
4. Specific communities and social groups and regional, sub-regional and local levels
5. International (including European) and trans-regional economic, social and cultural interactions with the host region