The University of Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool (NML) recently co-hosted a sharing event as part of their long-standing collaborative partnership.
The event explored impact of an 18-month programme of joint projects funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Accelerator Account (IAA), and helped to shape the next phase of collaborative research, engagement, and exchange within the wider partnership.
The event brought together researchers, curators, and partnership leads from both organisations and shared insights and outcomes from the projects. Participants identified practical priorities and opportunities for future research development, enabling the two organisations to continue to build a strong, inclusive research culture together.
Projects delivered through the partnership
The IAA grant has supported a range of collaborative projects between the University and NML, showcasing the tangible outcomes the partnership has delivered. These include:
- Digitising the Past: A Northern Partnership for Romano-British Women's Heritage
Led by Dr Alan Greaves and doctoral researcher Charlotte Bell (Archaeology), this project brought together small museums and community partners across the North of England to build a collaborative network, laying the groundwork for a £250,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund bid. - Musical Enhancement of House of Memories
Professor Lisa Shaw, Professor Sara Cohen, Dr Jacqueline Waldock, Dr Richard Smith and Archivist for the University's Institute of Popular Music, Louise Bruton, worked with NML's multi-award-winning dementia awareness programme, House of Memories, to co-create playlists and a music-led activity toolkit. The resource was developed specifically to support elders from Merseyside's Chilean and Yemeni communities and their carers, enhancing the programme's reach and inclusivity. - Circum-Caribbean Material Culture and Communities
Dr Beatriz Marín-Aguilera worked with Meghan Backhouse, Lead Curator, Global Collections at NML, and her team at the World Museum to bring Indigenous perspectives to the forefront of curatorial and research practice around its Circum-Caribbean collections. The project connected with Indigenous communities, their descendants, and UK residents from Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering a renewed sense of community and belonging.
Professor Alison Fell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Liverpool, said: "Our long-standing partnership with NML is an important part of the University's commitment to the cultural and civic life of our city. This IAA programme demonstrates the value of investing in early-stage ideas that have the potential to grow into significant research and cultural initiatives. We are excited about what the next phase of our partnership can achieve."
Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool, said: "Our partnership with the University of Liverpool brings together academic research and museum expertise to explore new ideas, share knowledge and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration. By combining our strengths, we can develop innovative approaches that enrich our work and deliver lasting benefits for the communities we serve."
Professor Georgina Endfield, Dean of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, University of Liverpool, said: "Funding through the IAA is invaluable to both institutions, enabling us to explore new ideas, build on existing collaborations and strengthen our strategic partnership. It also provides a foundation for more ambitious joint projects and future funding opportunities, helping us to extend the reach and impact of our work."
Read the Partnership case study.
About the collaboration
The partnership between the University of Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool was formalised by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2019 and renewed in 2025, bringing together expertise in research, education, and public engagement.
The partnership combines research, teaching, and public engagement to make heritage accessible and engaging for all. Through collaborative projects, student placements, and public programmes, it brings Liverpool's history and culture to life and demonstrates how museums and universities can act as transformative partners and pioneers for innovation in the sector.
The AHRC IAA grant has enabled the two organisations to deepen this relationship, building a strong, inclusive, and collaborative research culture and deliver high-impact projects together.
