From civic to mission engagement: the roles of universities in place-based missions

Place-based missions have emerged as an important approach to addressing complex societal challenges, raising new questions about the role of universities in regional transformation. We examine how the civic university model can be reinterpreted to support mission-oriented innovation policy. Drawing on the mission design and delivery dimensions of strategic orientation, coordination and implementation, we identify a set of roles through which universities may contribute to place-based missions. Finally, we reflect on the challenges universities face in reconfiguring their internal and external governance to enable deeper mission engagement.