University of Liverpool.

Pioneered in the School of the Arts by Prof R Koeck and Dr Yiota Vassilopoulou and supported by Business Gateway, LiNK – Liverpool Network of Knowledge Exchange – provides a blueprint for a university-wide placement scheme administrated by the Liverpool Doctoral College (LDC). LiNK provides opportunities for PhD students to network and engage in collaborative research with external organisations from the cultural and creative industries. This is achieved through short-term placements where the student works on a defined piece of work to benefit the host organisation thus giving PhD students the opportunity to develop professional skills through a taste of working outside academia. This in turn contributes to shaping the future direction of their research or career pathway. In addition, relations are developed between the participating organisations and the academic supervisors fostering opportunities for further collaboration.

Now in its third year, LiNK has attracted PhD students with a range of research skills who have delivered a variety of interesting projects working within our partner organisations. In the past we have had students working with creative companies on communications/marketing and with heritage/culture organisations on researching archives to enhance exhibitions. Other roles focussed on public engagement such as gathering interview testimonies to give social context to exhibitions and developing processes for obtaining feedback from the viewing public and also event organisation. Technical projects involving 3D printing and the visualisation and modelling of pedestrian movement from sensor data have also been completed and in some cases the student helped develop new approaches adopted by the hosts, such as taking advantage of digital technology for gallery exhibitions. Collaborative partners include the Open Eye Gallery, National Museums Liverpool, FACT, Bluecoat, Red Ninja, Tate Liverpool, RIBA, ARUP and the Victoria Gallery and Museum.

To enhance impact, further research and public engagement from the collaborations a Knowledge Exchange Fund­ is available for LiNK projects to support approved activities such as public debates, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and screenings.

For more details on this year’s host organisations please click here.