The winners of the LARIA Research Impact Awards were announced on Thursday 16th November during the LARIA One Day Event ‘Making research + intelligence = inclusion + equality’ held at the Local Government Association, London.

The LARIA Research Impact Awards are the only awards specifically designed to showcase the work of those researching local areas and recognise the impact of research at a local level and showcase the very best work of our members. We welcome entries from across the public and private sector that show the value of this work in helping public sector bodies to make better evidence based decisions.

We are delighted to announce the 2023 shortlist and winners below:

Best use of local area research – sponsored by LGA

To win this award the successful entrant had to show how their research has led to a greater understanding of a local area or community or an issue that is locally important, and had led to evidence-based decision-making.

Best use of data – sponsored by CACI

To win this award the successful entrant showed how they have successfully used data to aid understanding of a local area, community or issue that led to evidence-based decision-making within at least one public sector body. Data for the purposes of this award was defined as the use of big data, open data, business intelligence and statistical analysis.

In addition to the trophy, for Category B the winning authority will receivea free 12-month subscription from CACI to one of the following CACI datasets: (a) Acorn or (b) Household Acorn or (c) Wellbeing Acorn or (d) Paycheck or (e) Paycheck Disposable Income. Terms and conditions will apply, including the requirement to supply a case study showcasing the use of the data.

Most engaging communication of local area research or analysis

To win this award the successful entrant has shown how they successfully communicated local area research or data analysis to aid understanding of a local area, community or issue. The audience for this communication could include senior decision-makers, staff, the media and the public.

Winner

• Research & Citizen Insight Team at Essex County Council and Revealing Reality – Employment Experiences of People with Learning Disabilities and Autism

Shortlisted

1. Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board – Eyes on the Baby: Preventing Infant Deaths in County Durham
2. Manchester City Council – Manchester City Council’s Online Census 2021 Interactive Insight Tool

New researcher/analyst of the year

This award is given to a researcher or analyst with under five years of experience in a research field who has made an impact. This could be a person of any age, and could be based on a particular project they have led, an innovation they have pioneered or a particularly strong skill set.