Programme Lead for UNESCO UK included in new Local Policy Innovation Partnership Place Fellows

The University’s Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub has appointed a new group of Place Fellows. Each one has an important role to play in driving UK policy innovation across a diversity of sectors.

Included in the cohort is the Programme Lead for the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Liam Smyth. In his role, Liam delivers programmes that develop a more resilient network of UNESCO Sites in the UK, including World Heritage Sites, to ensure the public feels the benefit of our UNESCO membership.

Liam said of his appointment: "Being awarded a fellowship from the University of Birmingham's LPIP Hub is a brilliant opportunity to champion the role of culture and heritage in place-based policymaking. Cultural recovery is vital for understanding identity, engaging people, and ultimately generating both economic and social value through the culture and creative industries."

The University’s appointment of Liam reflects our ongoing commitment to the development of the Heritage sector. Dr Faye Sayer, Director of the International Centre for Heritage, reacted to his appointment by saying: “Liam’s wealth of experience with UK UNESCO, and in building localised heritage initiatives to help heritage address global challenges, provides an exciting avenue for us to continue shaping heritage policies and practices that benefit society.”