While the financial pressures facing higher education have attracted significant attention in recent years, less has been said about the impact being delivered by universities like Lincoln that have adapted to a changing political, social and economic landscape and continue to invest in the prosperity of the places they serve.

Across the UK, universities like the University of Lincoln are proving that their value extends far beyond teaching and research.

As anchor institutions, they are working alongside local government, businesses and communities to tackle local challenges, unlock investment and deliver projects that strengthen places and improve lives.

In March 2026 the University of Lincoln officially opened the Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health (LIDOH) – supported by £1.5 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a range of other funders – to address the “dental desert” in Lincolnshire.

Fully embracing place-based philanthropy and partnership funding the University is now moving towards further phases of its “Strong Roots” programme of work with the development of a hub and spoke Dental Clinic & Training Centre.

We have seen and been part of the power and impact of local and regional university-led projects in the UK for many years and look forward to working with the Vice Chancellor’s project team to plan and deliver the next phase of this much needed work in Lincolnshire and the wider Region.

Bob Hawke was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991 and the longest-serving Labor prime minister in Australian history.

Throughout his term, Mr Hawke focused on public health care (establishing Medicare), education, human rights and reforms in economics, environmental policy and international affairs.

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, based at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, is devoted to generating ideas and solutions to achieve cohesive, sustainable societies. The Centre’s team engage with local and international communities through public learning activities including lectures, seminars, alliances and research projects.

Mr Hawke continued to lend a voice to national issues until his death on 16 May 2019. We were very proud to be have been involved with Bob to support major gifts work in the UK and Australia in the early days of his fundraising campaign for the Centre – and several other campaigns and projects he inspired over his many years of public service.