The LARIA Research Impact Awards recognise the impact of research as a local level and showcase the very best work of our members. The winners were announced on the first day of the LARIA Conference at our awards dinner on 23rd May 2017.

Best use of local area research – Sponsored by the Local Government Association (LGA)

To win this award the successful entrant will show how their research has led to a greater understanding of a local area or an issue that is locally important. This could be based on primary or secondary data analysis. Not only that, but they must also show that this has led to evidence-based decision-making within at least one public sector body. Judges were looking for submissions that show a well-argued methodology, clear reporting of the findings and impact. Ideally the winner also shows strong partnership working, citizen/user involvement/engagement, innovation, and the outcomes that have been achieved locally.

Winner: 

• Manchester City Council – Troubled Families Evaluation 2017

Shortlisted:

• Britain Thinks and Islington Council – Islington Youth: Better Futures
• Manchester City Council – Securing a ward boundary review using a local forecasting model
• Powys County Council – Older People Accommodation, Our Vision for the future

Best use of social care or health research

To win this award the successful entrant will show how their research has led to a greater understanding of a social care or health issue. This could be based on primary or secondary data analysis. Not only that, but they must also show that this has led to evidence-based decision-making within the social care or health sectors. Our definition of social care and health sectors is in the broadest sense and includes public health. We welcome entries that cover more than one sector. Judges were looking for submissions that show a well-argued methodology, clear reporting of the findings and impact. Ideally the winner also show strong partnership working, citizen/user involvement/engagement, innovation, and the outcomes that have been achieved locally.

Winner:

• Britain Thinks and Healthy London Partnership – The Great Weight Debate

Shortlisted:

• Essex County Council – Self-Narrative Recovery – Owning the Journey through the Mental Health Accommodation pathway
• Powys County Council – Older People Accommodation, Our Vision for the future

Best use of community safety or policing research

To win this award the successful entrant will show how their research has led to a greater understanding of a community safety or policing issue. This could be based on primary or secondary data analysis. Not only that, but they must also show that this has led to evidence-based decision-making within the community safety and policing sectors. Judges were looking for submissions that show a well-argued methodology, clear reporting of the findings and impact. Ideally the winner also shows strong partnership working, citizen/user involvement/engagement, innovation, and the outcomes that have been achieved locally.

Winner:

• Lancashire County Council – Understanding of complex anti-social behaviour cases including cases presented at partner risk assessment conference (ASBRAC)

Shortlisted:

• Essex County Council – Essex Data Programme: Tackling issues earlier through smarter use of data

Most engaging presentation of local area research

To win this award the successful entrant will show how they have successfully presented local area research to aid understanding of a local area, community or health issue. The audience for this presentation could include senior decision-makers, staff, the media and the public. The format of the presentation could include (but is not limited to) a written report, conference presentation, event/seminar, videos, infographics, an online portal/website or use of media. Judges were looking for submissions that show a creative approach that understands the needs of the audience receiving the information. There should be evidence that research findings have been reported clearly and are fairly represented by the presentation of it. Ideally the winner will also show strong partnership working, citizen/user involvement/engagement, innovation and the outcomes that have been achieved locally.

Winner:

• Essex County Council – From monster mother to local leader

Highly commended:

• Kirklees Council – Online and redefined: Refreshing our approach to the JSNA

New researcher of the year

This award is given to a researcher with under five years of experience in a research field who has made an impact. This could be a person of any age. The entry could be based on a particular project they have led, an innovation they have pioneered or a particularly strong skill set. Their career to date shows a researcher who is able to conduct research that provides insightful analysis, promotes citizen/user involvement/engagement, presents information well, and helps develop evidence-based decision-making in the public sector. We accept entrants who have had a longer career in research than five years, but have moved into a new research field of which they have under five years of experience. The researcher cannot nominate themselves for this award.

Winner:

• Izabella Wojciechowski – Breaking Blue

LARIA volunteer of the year

The volunteer of the year award is in the gift of the LARIA Council and recognises the work of a volunteer who has progressed the work of LARIA but does not sit on the LARIA Council. We are a voluntary organisation and without the work of our members we would not be here today. The winner this year has contributed for a number of years in helping LARIA make new contacts in the public health world, and helping to establish a strong public health element to the work of LARIA.

Winner: 

• Deana Leadbeater