On Friday 8th October, public health and culture experts will come together to discuss how science and society came together to pilot a safe return to live, large scale events.
The panel discussion as part of the University of Liverpool’s ‘Liverpool Responds’ series will give insights into the city’s invaluable contribution to the Government’s Events Research Programme (ERP).
The Liverpool ERP was a partnership between University of Liverpool scientists, Liverpool City Council, the event organisers, and the people of Liverpool City Region. The city hosted four hugely successful events as part of the national ERP, with a total of 13,258 people attending The Good Business Festival, two nightclub events hosted by Circus and the Sefton Park Pilot music festival.
This free virtual event will give insights into what made the Liverpool ERP a success from tracing contacts to audience responses and health data outcomes as well as the collaboration between partner organisations and the Government. Those wishing to attend are required to register via Eventbrite.
Chaired by Professor Iain Buchan who led the evaluation of the Events Research Programme in Liverpool, the event panel includes:
• Culture Liverpool Director Claire McColgan MBE and Head of Creative Development, Robin Kemp
• Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool
• The University of Liverpool’s Dr Michael Humann, Dr Girvan Burnside and Professor Rhiannon Corcoran
Professor Iain Buchan said: “The World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The Covid pandemic has shown the importance of considering not only risks from the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly but also from the harms from control measures such as lock-downs. Events and hospitality constitute half of Liverpool’s economy and contribute greatly to the social fabric of the City and its visitors. So the Events Research Programme was an opportunity for Liverpool’s science and society to rebalance those risks – leading to the first reopening of live music events in the Northern Hemisphere, with effective public health safety measures, practical learning for event organisers and an outpouring of joy among those who attended. It was a deeply moving and motivating experience.”
To learn more about the Events Research Programme, register here to attend the Liverpool Responds event.
Liverpool Responds is the University of Liverpool’s online event series considering different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, its response and the sectors affected by it.
The event will take place via Zoom. Details will be emailed on the day of the event to those registered.