The power of creative collaboration was a theme of a keynote speech at The University of Liverpool’s (UoL) Making an Impact 2024 series, organised by The Academy. The event focused on the development of the Liverpool Knowledge Quarter (KQ) and its impact on the local community.

Colin Sinclair, CEO of KQ, shared that the motivation behind this development was to improve the lives of the people in Liverpool. With his unique background in the music industry, Colin emphasised that KQ Liverpool aims to capitalise on the city’s rich culture, innovation and diverse expertise.

The keynote speaker provided valuable insights into the influence of the quarter on the region, highlighting key partnerships between The University of Liverpool and other important stakeholders. Colin discussed various opportunities for research collaboration and cutting-edge innovation at KQ Liverpool, focusing on the need for a “triple helix” combination – government support, educational institutions and private industries – to create a world-class ecosystem.

KQ Liverpool is home to the Liverpool Health Campus, fostering innovative investments and collaborations among the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool Science Park, Materials Innovation Factory, Digital Innovation Factory, The Spine, and Sensor City. This ecosystem also enables global companies and medical experts to access state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate with the NHS with Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust and The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre based in the area.

A significant point raised was Liverpool 2031 vision, setting UoL’s ambition to become a top 100 global university in time for its 150^th anniversary, leveraging Liverpool’s unique characteristics.

When asked about the key ingredients for successful creative collaboration, Colin highlighted equity, debt financing and grants.

Located within the Liverpool Science Park, the Liverpool Health Partners (LHP) team, including the Joint Research Office, specialises in supporting clinical research grant applications, facilitating crucial conversations with partners and driving continuous research funding.

By converting clinical research into commercial success, LHP aims to promote regional prosperity and wellbeing through research, innovation and partnerships for local and global impact.

The event emphasised embracing creativity and collaboration to unlock new possibilities and push the boundaries of research and innovation.

The KQ Liverpool story demonstrates the power of partnership and the potential for positive change when we collectively work towards a common goal.