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DC Research Ltd is an economics, heritage and culture research and consultancy company, based in Carlisle and working throughout the UK.
DC Research was established in 2008 and has spent the last seventeen years developing a national reputation for providing high quality research services to clients across the UK.
We primarily work in the economics, creative and cultural fields, including heritage and museums, and have carried out work for national organisations and agencies – such as Arts Council England, Association of Independent Museums, British Museum, Creative Scotland, DCMS, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland, Welsh Government – as well as work for organisations in places across the UK.
We have a particular focus on applying economic research tools and methods to the cultural and heritage sectors – and have used these skills to support culture and heritage organisations in advocacy, funding applications, evaluation, organisational and action plan development, and assessing economic and social impact and contribution.
Research:
DC Research provide clients with independent, objective and rigorously researched evidence alongside the resulting advice and recommendations upon which to base resourcing decisions, develop policy and strategy, and take action. This includes the following: Assessment of Funding Bids; Issue Specific Research; Organisational Reviews; Project Appraisals; Policy Development; Performance Management Support; Supporting Funding Applications.
Evaluation:
The DC Research team have substantial experience in delivering a wide range of diverse evaluation studies.
From local projects to national programmes, from arts and culture to manufacturing and productivity, and from heritage attractions to creative workspaces, these studies have been independently and rigorously researched using a portfolio of methods and a range of techniques to engage with stakeholders, deliverers, beneficiaries and audiences in the most effective, efficient and appropriate manner.
Strategic Support:
Drawing on our long-standing track record, this service area offers a range of consultation and process approaches to support clients in scoping, making the case, designing, implementing and measuring the impact of, economic, creative and cultural interventions, initiatives and programmes as well as organisational development.
Studies can include making the case or demonstrating the rationale for intervention or action, establishing need and conducting feasibility studies, and action planning.
Impact Assessment:
DC Research offers industry standard Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) services, as well as specialist culture, creative, heritage and museum impact assessment expertise.
The DC Research team have delivered HM Treasury ‘Green Book’ compliant EIA studies, across a range of fields – assessing both the potential impacts of new developments and the actual impacts of current developments, venues, projects and initiatives.
We have built up a strong portfolio of arts, culture, and heritage impact studies, applying and adapting the ‘Green Book’ method and additional government guidance where appropriate.
Research:
Arts Council England – Research to understand the levels of public investment in museums since 2015 and the associated impact
Association of Independent Museums (AIM) – Research into Admissions Pricing Policy in Museums
Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) – Well equipped spaces in the right places
Historic Houses – Historic Houses Annual Member Survey
Museums Galleries Scotland – National Survey of Scotland’s Museums and Galleries Sector
Evaluation:
Welsh Government – Evaluation of Cost of Living Support for Museums and Libraries
Community Land Scotland – Independent Evaluation of Community Ownership Hub: Glasgow and Clyde Valley
Association of Independent Museums (AIM) – New Stories New Audiences Evaluation
Arts Council England – Evaluation of the Museum Development Programme
National Lottery Heritage Fund – Resilient Heritage Programme Evaluation
Parks for London – Centre for Excellence Impact Evaluation
Bord Na Gaidhlig – Review of multi-year funding agreements
Strategic Support:
Arts Council England – Economic Commentary on Cultural Development Fund Applications
Historic Environment Scotland – Review and Refresh of the Historic Environment Skills Investment Plan
Lancaster City Museums – Developing an income generation strategy and plan
OST Development Trust – Funding Application and Business Case Support for the Old School Thornhill
The Crannog – Business Plan and Strategic Development
The National Lottery Heritage Fund – Heritage and Place Research
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust – Supporting the Development of the Full Business Case to Borderlands Growth Deal
Impact Assessment:
Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) – Impact Assessment of the National Centre for Music and RHSPT
National Trust for Scotland (NTS) – Evaluating the Social and Economic Impact of NTS
Association of Independent Museums (AIM) – Economic Value of the Independent Museum Sector: Toolkit (2024 Edition) and Economic Impact of the Independent Museum Sector 2024
Scottish Book Festivals Network – Impact of Scottish Book Festivals
Prism Arts – ‘Capturing rigorous data on our impact’
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust – Social Impact of Tullie House
Chichester District Council – Social Impact Assessment of The Novium Museum
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