How Will University Innovation Hubs Shape the Future of Work?
Part 2: Workspaces, Inventive Partnerships, and Measuring Impact
Guest blog by Brock Pierce (brock.pierce@unc.edu) Associate Director of Innovation and Economic Impact
The University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
In this second part of our two-part blog, we’re diving into the themes of a new report by UNC-Chapel Hill’s Innovate Carolina team that explores how university-based innovation hubs will shape the future of work. In part one, we explored the roles hubs and partners play in developing talent and advancing the adoption of new technologies. In this installment, you’ll learn how these hubs are helping to redefine work environments, their perspectives on building productive cross-sector partnerships that advance physical workspaces and talent pipelines, and how they measure impact to determine what’s working.
April 15, 2025 – In its new 2025 report, How Will University Innovation Hubs Shape the Future of Work?, Innovate Carolina—the university-wide initiative for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—explores the role university innovation organizations can play in preparing people for tomorrow’s professional world. One area of focus is how work environments are evolving to meet new industry trends and the modes of work—in-person, remote, and hybrid—that continue to develop.
Workspaces that work for the future
The report is based on interviews with leaders from 11 university-affiliated innovation hubs across the United States, all of which share common goals: accelerating talent growth, translating research into real-world applications, and strengthening regional economies. These hubs are optimizing for in-person, remote, and hybrid work models by designing spaces that support flexible collaboration. Hub leaders said they are focused on the integration of coworking spaces, labs, and incubators, often designed to accommodate a mix of corporate partners, startups, academic researchers, and students. They described prioritizing collaborative and multidisciplinary work environments to foster innovation and connectivity between different sectors.
Balancing remote work preferences with the need for physical presence is a challenge, particularly for hubs that focus heavily on lab-based research. As a result, some hubs incorporate “sticky real estate” strategies—creating spaces that foster long-term tenant engagement by integrating amenities such as networking areas, dining, and on-site business support services. Mixed-use models are gaining popularity, combining office, residential, and retail spaces to create vibrant, innovation-driven districts that attract and retain top talent. Other university hubs are looking beyond their immediate campus footprints to create and co-locate innovation hub spaces near industry partners.
Cross-sector partnerships are key
Innovation hubs establish partnerships to strengthen their future-of-work initiatives. By fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations across academia, industry, and government, hubs help drive economic development in key growth industries within their regions. Partnerships forged with corporate tech partnerships enable hands-on AI, data science, and automation training, catalyzing workforce transformation.
Several hubs cited industry-specific collaborations in mobility, ag-tech, and biotech that allow them to align educational programs with real-world job demands, emphasizing stackable credentials and hands-on upskilling through internships. However, securing physical infrastructure for hubs remains a challenge, making partnerships with real estate developers and funders essential.
Collaborations that hubs form with K-12 schools and community colleges build talent pipelines. STEM programs, coding boot camps, and community college partnerships provide clear pathways into high-demand fields, helping to create a steadier influx of skilled professionals for the future.
Economic Impact: Driving and Measuring Success
Why are hubs focused on the future of work? It starts with driving economic impact. Hubs drive impact in a number of ways related to future-of-work initiatives: strengthening research capacity, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and skill development.
How do they know if they’re making an impact? Hub leaders say they track common measures like job placements, new business creation, and patents, but they want to expand their assessments to include longer-term outcomes like alumni career paths and partner feedback. Hub leaders are also highly attuned to aligning their programs with industry workforce needs—for instance, targeted skills needed in sectors like health care, technology, and advanced manufacturing—to enhance their effectiveness in driving regional economic growth.
Why it matters
The future of work is here and rapidly evolving. University innovation hubs are positioned to help people and organizations thrive in tomorrow’s professional world. Innovation hubs already bring together the people who are tackling future-of-work issues, representing academia, private corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits in their communities. By connecting these stakeholders, hubs can significantly amplify the positive impact these organizations make as they work together to advance shared goals.
Want to learn more? Innovate Carolina will present its findings during a joint webinar with UI Collab on May 14. Register now to engage in the conversation and discover how your organization can benefit from these insights. You can also sign up to receive the report when it’s released.
Did you miss part one? Click here to learn how innovation hubs are influencing adoption of future-of-work technologies and helping people and organizations build future-ready skills.
We want to hear from you. How should innovation hubs measure success? Let us know on LinkedIn.