News from 2009

This is an archive of news items dating from 2009, in reverse chronological order.

November 2009

We've published three new reports, adding significantly to the post-2008 reflection on Liverpool's Capital of Culture year. Two look at the specific impact which the title had on the city's creative industries and arts sectors, while one examines web engagement with Liverpool 08. Find out more and download the reports.

Beatriz García's expertise in capitals of culture was called on when she was interviewed this month on EuroparlTV. ‘What does a city need to become European Capital of Culture for a year? What opportunities does the title offer? EuroparlTV identifies the different dimensions of the year, and discovers what two of the Capitals of Culture offer Europeans in 2010.’

October 2009

Dr Beatriz García, Director of Impacts 08, has been appointed to the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s Science & Research Advisory Committee. The Committee has been set up to advise on developments in science and technology and their implications for DCMS policies and priorities. Dr García’s expertise on culture-led regeneration and the impacts of major cultural events will be invaluable in helping the DCMS in finding ways to develop its scientific evidence base. The Committee was launched at the new Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum on 28th October. It will meet twice a year to cover high level cross-cutting issues, as well as giving an annual presentation to the DCMS Advisory Board, and presenting a report on science, technology and engineering issues to the Secretary of State every three years. A set of subject-specific, temporary working groups will also be set up to address the key issues it identifies.

We're delighted to welcome Matti Allam to Impacts 08 as our new International Research Liaison Officer. Funded by a Cultural Policy Networks grant from the European Commission, Matti's role will be to adapt the team's Liverpool model into an international framework for use by future European Capitals of Culture, as well as other cities assessing the impact of major cultural initiatives. Find out more.

September 2009

At the end of September Beatriz García, Director of Impacts 08, was invited to Brussels to deliver a presentation at the European Culture Forum. Over 1000 delegates took part in this high profile two day event, including many European Commissioners, ministers and cultural leaders. Dr García presented findings on the diverse economic, physical, social and cultural impacts of strategic investment in initiatives like the Capital of Culture programme and discussed ways forward to adapt this research approach into a replicable European impact assessment framework. Impacts 08’s status as an exemplar of developing an effective evidence base was highlighted when it was one of only a handful of cases mentioned by the appointed ‘grand rapporteur’ Bernard Foccroulle during the plenary conclusions session chaired by the EC’s Director General for Culture, Odile Quintin.

We're holding a research seminar on 16th September to discuss findings from our AHRC / ESRC Impact Fellowship. Places are strictly limited and therefore invitation only. The Fellowship's main objective has been to advance the case for the development of a more ‘culturally sensitive’ cultural policy that can be informed by appropriate impact research methodologies. The ambition of this seminar is to begin a process in which academics, policymakers and stakeholders can develop a dialogue around notions of ‘cultural value’ founded in place. Find out more.

August 2009

We've finally caught up with the rest of the planet and have now joined Twitter. You can stay up to date with all the news from the Impacts 08 office, and be the first to hear about forthcoming seminars and publications, by following us here: www.twitter.com/impacts08.

Following our successful bid to the European Commission’s Culture programme, we’ve now opened applications for the brand new position of International Research Liaison Officer. The postholder will be helping to develop the international legacy of the Impacts 08 programme, co-ordinating knowledge transfer workshops with future European Capital of Culture host cities and contributing to reporting for the European Commission. They’ll be charged with the adaptation of the Impacts 08 research framework into an international model for research that can be replicated by future European Capitals of Culture, as well as other cities aspiring to assess the impact of large-scale cultural policy initiatives. This ten month post is being advertised in The Guardian, ArtsJobs and of course via the University of Liverpool and Jobs.ac.uk (among others). You can download the full job details, and feel free to pass them on to anyone who might be interested. The closing date is 4th September, with interviews being held on 18th September.

July 2009

Our Measuring Cultural Engagement workshop, held on 27th July at Liverpool's Foresight Centre, was a great success. Over forty arts practitioners, academics, researchers and policymakers came along to discuss thorny issues around measuring audiences, cultural experiences, and 'excellence'. You can find out more about the event, see who was there, download the presentations and take part in ongoing discussion over on our Impact Workshops website.

Ann Wade has joined the team as Impacts 08 Co-ordinator. Ann is a project manager with experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors, specialising in equal opportunities, social inclusion and community activism and participation. Ann is now your first point of contact for the Impacts 08 office and can be reached on 0151 794 2988 or impacts08@liv.ac.uk.

June 2009

A methodology for our economic impact work has now been published. Written by England's Northwest Research Service, the document outlines the measures, premises, data sources and timescales involved in our economic impact work.

Download an abridged version of the Ecomonic Impact Methodology.
Download the full Economic Impact Methodology.

Susan Tranter has joined the Impacts 08 team as Communications Officer. She'll be looking after these web pages, along with our Impacts 08 blog, and also acting as media contact. You can get in touch with Susan by emailing s.tranter@liverpool.ac.uk.