Economic and Social Impact Assessment of the Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research
Client: Liverpool Health Partners
The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Clinical Research Network North West Coast and Liverpool Health Partners (LHP) have come together to co-create a new centre focusing on the development and application of research and innovation in alcohol-related disease. The Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research (LCAR) aims to better understand the drivers and consequences of alcohol misuse, and also to develop new treatments, interventions and policies in response.
SQW was commissioned by LHP to undertake a focused economic and social impact assessment of the LCAR. A mixed methods approach was used, covering both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. This involved data and document review, consultations with senior stakeholders, definition of 'routes to impact' and a logic model for the LCAR, and the development of a bespoke economic impact model.
The study found that LCAR's primary beneficial impacts will be around driving improved public health outcomes, productivity gains from a healthier LCR workforce, and development of further research capacity and capability. In addition, the LCAR will contribute to Liverpool's wider life sciences cluster development agenda and has the potential to encourage business innovation, leading to job creation and investment. The study also monetised the gross and net beneficial impacts resulting from employment at LCAR, the attraction of additional students to Liverpool and the value of increases in research funding.
The LCAR was formally launched in January 2019 with Professor Sir Ian Gilmore named as the LCAR's Director. SQW presented at the launch event, alongisde Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Dame Louise Ellman MP, Ms Luciana Berger MP, and Dr Neil Goodwin CBE amongst others.
The impact report is available to download here.
