Spaceport: An example of REF Impact

Andy NewsamAstrophysics Research Institute

Liverpool John Moores University

Outline• Background: Spaceport – what is it?• REF Impact Pilot:– Impacts– Evidence– Links to Research

• Lessons Learnt• Questions?

Spaceport• An Astronomy and Space Visitor Centre• Partnership between LJMU (specifically the

Astrophysics group) and Mersey Travel (Mersey Ferries)

• In the Seacombe Ferry Terminal building (listed art-deco multi-storey car park)

• Opened July 2005• Target: 50k visitors in first year dropping to 30-

40k per annum• Reality: 90k visitors in first year, rising to >100k

p.a. since

REF Impact Pilot: Impact• Visitor Numbers• Visitor make-up (e.g. schools, families)• Regeneration: Seacombe is a high-

unemployment area• Economy: Directly through new jobs and sales,

indirectly through “knock-on” tourism• Regional resource for STEM education

REF Impact Pilot: Evidence• Visitor numbers are obvious but

not evidence of impact in themselves

• Supporting (and mentioned in) local regeneration strategy

• Number of new jobs created• Direct and indirect impact on

the local economy

REF Impact Pilot: Research• Links to specific research essential• We have to demonstrate:– That it would not exist without our research– The specific research output that are relevant

• Also some aspects that rely on individual research outputs. E.g.:– Merseyside Astronomy Day (MAD)– Special event for deprived schools

Lessons Learnt• Impact must be specific and requires evidence• Benefits must be to wider community (not just

benefits to subject)• Linkage to specific research (i.e. publications)

essential

More InformationSpaceport:

www.spaceport.org.uk

Astrophysics Research Institute:www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk

REF Impact Pilot:www.ref.ac.uk/background/pilot/