The University of Liverpool recently hosted a harmonised Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) Showcase event, bringing together academics, external partners and funders to celebrate the impact of IAA-supported activity across the institution.
Since 2022, the University has received over £5 million in IAA funding, supporting more than 200 impact projects, activities and training initiatives and engaging with over 100 partners. Through the innovation and expertise of academic staff, this funding has delivered measurable impact across areas including technology adoption, economic growth, environmental protection, healthcare, culture and society.
The Showcase provided an opportunity to reflect on these achievements while fostering new connections to support future impact. More than 70 attendees took part, including IAA awardees, project partners, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) representatives, and impact leads. A poster exhibition showcased a selection of IAA-funded projects, demonstrating the breadth of work supported by the programme.
Highlights included pioneering cancer and antibiotic treatments, exploring medieval architecture, reviving Bermuda’s convict stories through graphic novels, and co-creating museum projects in Colombia. Social impact research tackles workplace policies, urban transport, and oral health for marginalised communities, while creative projects celebrate music, heritage, and living traditions. Together, these projects demonstrate the University’s commitment to research that transforms lives, communities, and culture—locally, globally, and across disciplines. Read more about the projects.
The event was opened by Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact and Professor of Stem Cell Biology at the University of Liverpool. who commented: “We are delighted to welcome our project partners and UKRI representatives to celebrate our collective achievements and share our future ambitions. The harmonised IAA programme enables us to support interdisciplinary, impact-focused activity that maximises reach, flexibility and real-world benefit.”
Speakers included representatives from University partners that have collaborated on IAA-funded projects, such as National Museums Liverpool and global energy company Baker Hughes. The programme also featured talks from a number of University of Liverpool IAA awardees, including Dr Abi Merriel, Dr Jill Madine, Dr Professor Sim Yates, Dr Heba Lakany, Professor Katie Atkinson and Dr James Organ. Dr Nishtha Venkatesan, Senior Commercialisation Manager at UKRI, spoke about the role of IAA funding in supporting innovation, commercialisation and knowledge exchange.
Commenting on the importance of the programme, Dr Venkatesan said: “The IAA Liverpool Showcase clearly demonstrated the programme’s value in empowering people to develop the impact of their ideas and skills. The quality of the work presented was exceptional and showed just how transformative the IAA experience can be.”
Driving impact and future opportunities
The harmonised IAA brings together five UKRI research council awards – AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, and MRC – forming a £5 million fund to support impact-focused projects, training, and events. The programme aligns with the University’s Liverpool 2031 strategy and strengthens its Knowledge Exchange Framework performance.
To date, it has supported collaboration with over 100 external partners and leveraged more than £25 million in external funding from early-stage projects. IAA funding has also enabled commercialisation, with over 130 researchers trained, five spin-out companies launched, and 17 patents filed or granted. Projects have contributed to policy change and public engagement, while inspiring future collaborations to expand interdisciplinary impact across sectors.
Information for University of Liverpool staff:
Partnerships and collaborations with organisations beyond academia, such as businesses, NHS trusts, government agencies, and cultural organisations, are essential for generating income and impact. Read more about the University’s knowledge exchange strategy and KEF.
Research, Partnerships and Innovation (RPI) supports these collaborations by providing access to funding, such as the IAA, and resources, including the Research Partnering Toolkit, to help you achieve successful outcomes. Find out more on our Partnership Development webpages. Meanwhile, our Enterprise Team provides support for commercialising intellectual property through licensing or spin-outs, helping to maximise the impact of University research.
Next round of IAA funding
The next IAA round for ESRC and AHRC only, with a focus on supporting strategic priorities (IS8 sectors, REF ICS and high-profile partnerships), will be open from 9 February to 23 March 2026. More information on how to apply will be available on the website soon.