National Museums Liverpool: Culture in collaboration

The University’s partnerships with the cultural and creative sector are central to delivering the Liverpool 2031 vision and reflect the University’s civic commitment to enriching the city.

A flagship example is the long-standing collaboration with National Museums Liverpool. Formalised through an MoU in 2019 and renewed in 2025, the partnership combines academic expertise with world-class collections to benefit research, education, and public engagement.

Staff and students work alongside National Museums Liverpool teams on projects spanning archaeology, heritage, and exhibition development. This partnership provides hands-on experience for students, engagement opportunities for researchers, and access to cultural discovery for the public. Together, the partnership is creating lasting social, cultural, and economic impact across the Liverpool City Region.

Our partnership with the University of Liverpool lies at the heart of National Museums Liverpool’s mission to make heritage, research, and education accessible and engaging for all. Through collaborative projects, student placements, and public programmes, we are bringing the city’s history and culture to life, strengthening Liverpool’s civic and cultural fabric, and demonstrating how museums can act as active, transformative partners in society.

Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool

Delivering impact

Urban transformation

The University’s Heritage Institute is leading a study with National Museums Liverpool and Octopus Associates to assess the £1 billion Waterfront Transformation Project, including redevelopments of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum. The School of Architecture is co-designing the £58 million redevelopment with Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios), ensuring innovative, inclusive approaches.

Research and heritage

The Centre for the Study of International Slavery (CSIS) - a joint initiative between the University and National Museums Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum – will celebrate 20 years of research excellence in 2026. CSIS delivers collaborative, interdisciplinary projects with community, heritage, and academic partners locally, nationally, and internationally. Projects include a new International Slavery MA offering valuable educational and professional opportunities for students.

The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, in partnership with National Museums Liverpool, secured Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding to digitally reunite its collections for global access.

Community, sustainability, and engagement

National Museums Liverpool contributes to the University’s Centre for People’s Justice and the Zero Carbon Research Initiative, supporting social impact and net-zero strategies. Public engagement initiatives include family-friendly events and workshops delivered across museum venues, such as Meet the Scientists, as well as the 2025 British Science Festival, co-hosted by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.

Our partnership with National Museums Liverpool shows the transformative potential when universities and cultural institutions collaborate. By combining research, teaching, and public engagement, we are creating inclusive opportunities for students, staff, and the wider community, setting a benchmark for innovation and promoting equity and diversity with impact across Liverpool, the region, and beyond.

Professor Alison Fell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Liverpool