The £1 million Mayor’s big ideas challenge – funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – is accelerating innovative solutions, products or services to overcome health inequalities among communities in West Yorkshire.
Here, we talk with one of the judges, Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris, about the power of inclusive innovation, the importance of collaboration, and why community-rooted creativity is vital for shaping healthier futures. She shares her reflections on what makes West Yorkshire such a strong foundation for big ideas, and how community-led approaches can transform the region’s health and wellbeing landscape. Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris is a leading expert in user-centred design and inclusive innovation, serving as a Professor of Public and Industry Understanding of Capability Driven Design at the University of Leeds. She pioneered the influential “Capability Plus” model and is the founder of the Black Female Academics’ Network, where she champions equity and representation across academia and industry. Recognised for her impact, she was named Outstanding Woman in STEM at the PRECIOUS Awards.
What does being part of the Mayor’s big ideas challenge mean to you?
It is both an honour and a chance to contribute to the movement that speaks about regional growth by putting the words of creativity, inclusion, and impact at its centre. For me, this is truly about empowering the various voices and ensuring that health innovation, whereby it is considered by all who need it, takes into account the realities, needs, and aspirations of all communities in this region. It gives me a chance to see brilliant ideas, especially those from, and for underrepresented groups, actually supported to grow. “To be part of the Mayor’s big ideas challenge is to help reimagine what innovation looks like, not as an elite exercise, but as a collective act of inclusion, creativity, and courage.”
Why is it important to bring together people from different sectors and communities to address complex issues?
Complex problems demand collective brilliance. Bringing health, business, community, organisations, and industry together leads to much richer, sustainable, and equitable solutions. This diversity of thought is not just a must-do, it offers a real muscle in innovation. Collaborating and partnering through co-creation allows us all to cross-check the issue from a variety of perspectives and pinpoint solutions that really respect every perspective.
When localised health innovation operates on diversity, it creates works that not only prove technically viable, but are arguably made from social relevance and ethical consideration. This challenge genuinely calls for collaboration that breaks down silos and replaces competitiveness with a common goal.
How does innovation assist regions such as West Yorkshire in flourishing and growing?
Innovation can be considered the engine behind regional transformation. For West Yorkshire, it means new routes for the social mobility of its residents, the creation of digital and green skills, and the building of inclusive economies that really work for all. But innovation is not just technology, it's also about the design of systems, policies, communities, and environments that promote creativity and wellbeing. With inclusive innovation, prosperity might be uplifted for all.
When innovation is not only viewed as technological advancement but also as cultural advancement – inclusive design, social value, and sustainability are applied to our growth processes. When people from all walks of life see themselves represented in innovation spaces, we release a reservoir of talent whose benefits will run throughout the region.
What in the long-term would you like this challenge to achieve in the region?
I keep hoping the Mayor’s big ideas challenge creates a legacy of local confidence and connection, an actual ecosystem where bold ideas are nurtured with viability, cross-sector partnerships flourish, and where local talent is truly valued and celebrated. I would love to see continuous innovation in spirit embedded in the workings of West Yorkshire toward social, economic, and environmental progress. It would be lovely if a culture of innovation is made into a practice shared by all, never a one-time event.
I would love to see West Yorkshire become an example region where innovation plays for the people – that is where businesses, educators, and communities jointly create solutions to help uplift and empower. Hence, the desired legacy would be a culture willing to take creative risks and celebrate diversity while measuring success not just in terms of economic growth but also in terms of social impact. “West Yorkshire’s strength is its people, creative, compassionate, and determined. It’s a region where ideas grow roots because they’re nurtured by the community.”
How do you think community-based innovation might help to address health inequalities?
A community-focussed innovation means designing solutions with, rather than for, people. By including communities in direct problem-solving, listening to first-hand experiences, co-creating interventions, and drawing on local strengths to shape these interventions-we can promote solutions that work well and are equitable in health. Innovation then becomes a social justice tool that reduces inequities and makes communities healthier and more connected.
Using inclusive design practices allows communities to co-design solutions-they are culturally relevant, accessible, and sustainable. This helps to build trust and increase engagement, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
What makes West Yorkshire a wonderful place for new ideas to grow?
The West Yorkshire spirit is truly special, imbued with creativity, resilience, and community. A place that cherishes collaborative work and is not afraid to break the shackles of tradition. Our universities, creative centres, and local firms are full of diverse cultures, talent and dynamism. A common cause persists here: to create something, not just for growth, but for good. That is why this is an apt ground for new ideas.
In a nutshell, it is the diversity and open character of the region that constitute its core strength. With a culture that welcomes collaboration, the saying goes that one 'willingly embraces trying to do something different and innovate with an empathetic bent.' This blend of culture and big academic ideas makes West Yorkshire a very special case to transform grand ideas into meaningful impact.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
