LSTM celebrates third consecutive ‘excellent’ performance for positive impact in society and economy

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has maintained ‘excellent’ scores in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).

The institution has achieved ‘very high engagement’ for its research partnerships, local growth and regeneration, and working with the public and third sector.

This is the third consecutive year that LSTM has received the highest rating for local growth and regeneration, prompting Research England to spotlight the institution as an example of Knowledge Exchange excellence in the body’s national KEF6 announcement.

Professor Giancarlo Biagini, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said: “Knowledge exchange is central to how LSTM turns world-leading research and innovation into real-world benefit.

“We’re particularly delighted that Research England has chosen to highlight LSTM as an example of positive performance, recognising our very high engagement in local growth and regeneration for the third consecutive year.

“This sustained performance reflects the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to ensuring that innovation delivers value both here in the Liverpool City Region and through our global health mission.”

Knowledge Exchange at LSTM

Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory, a new high-security lab which will use organoids, AI and robotics to fight deadly infections and diseases, was officially opened in September. In line with LSTM’s knowledge exchange endeavours, the lab will enable industry to work alongside researchers to speed up the discovery of life-saving drugs and vaccines.

The LIGHT Consortium (Leaving no-one behInd: transforming Gendered pathways to Health for TB) has been shortlisted for a Knowledge Exchange UK 2026 award. The UK aid-funded global health research programme, led by LSTM in collaboration with partners in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and the UK, champions gender-responsive TB care and has been recognised for work to translate evidence into policy.

And the Human Challenge Facility, an in-patient isolation unit, provides 12 beds to test how vaccines and new treatments work in the body. LSTM works in partnership with Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust to increase national capacity for human infection research.

The KEF

The Knowledge Exchange Framework, published by Research England, provides an annual appraisal that helps universities and policymakers understand how higher education boosts economic growth and societal benefit across England.

It demonstrates the range of activities universities conduct with external partners from big businesses and SMEs, how they commercialise research, the positive impact they have on regional growth, and public engagement.

Find out more on the Research England website.