Universities often seem to be far more concerned about their international connections than their local relationships. The local context seems not to matter much either to their jetsetting vice-chancellors or to their lecturers and researchers under pressure to get papers published in obscure journals. That is how it may seem, but it is not actually as simple as that. There is no doubt that some universities have little to do with their local area, but many others do engage well with local communities and do have a sense of local corporate social responsibility. What is clear, however, is that universities could do more and could do it better. Universities need to be more open and more responsive to local need, especially at a time when disadvantaged communities are under increasing pressure. Universities can play a local leadership role, promoting debate about challenges facing their area and ensuring that the voices of disadvantaged communities are heard and taken into account.