Dr Larissa E Davies PhD, PGCertHE, BSc (Hons), FHEA

My academic background is in the discipline areas of economics and geography. I have a PhD in sports economics (The economic importance of sport: a case study of Sheffield) and a BSc in Geography from the University of Sheffield. I also have a PGCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Within the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC), I lead our research in the area of social impact and Social Return on Investment (SROI). I also make significant contributions to other core areas of research including sports economics, major events and sports participation. I manage and conduct research and consultancy projects for a wide range of clients including local and national government, charitable organisations, event organisers, County Sport Partnerships and National Governing Bodies. I also carry out bespoke commissions for private organisations in the sports sector.

Prior to moving full time into SIRC in 2014, I held a Readership in the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity and before that, a Senior Lectureship in the Department for the Natural and Built Environment at Hallam.

I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

I have over 15 years' experience teaching in the discipline areas of sport management, economics and geography.

I have taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules on Sport Business Management courses. Examples include

• Research methods in Sport and Physical Activity
• Impact of Major Events
• Contemporary Issues and Policy in Sport
• Global Economics of Sport
• Event Management and Viability

I have extensive experience teaching in geography, planning and urban regeneration. Examples of modules include

• Geographies of Sport, Leisure and Tourism
• Research Methods in Human Geography
• Contemporary Debates in Geography
• Economic Regeneration
• Localities, Regions and Economic Change
• Urban Conflict and Change

I have considerable experience of managing large and multiple undergraduate courses simultaneously, with high levels of student satisfaction in the NSS.

My research is multidisciplinary and is focused on three broad areas.

• Social impact and Social Return on Investment (SROI) in sport
• Economics of sport
• Sport and Regeneration

Social impact and Social Return on Investment (SROI) in sport

My current research focuses on evaluating the wider social value of sport to society. I specialise in using Social Return on Investment analysis to measure the non-market economic and social value of sports participation and volunteering.

With colleagues from SIRC, I have developed a national model for estimating Social Return on Investment in Sport. The research was commissioned by the Higher Education Innovation Fund and supported by Sport England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This work has generated considerable interest across the sports industry.

Other illustrative examples of my research in this area include

• Sport Wales (2018) The social and economic value of sport in Wales
• Sport England (2017) Measuring social value using the National Benchmarking Service (NBS)
• Sport England (2017) Analysis of Active Lives outcomes data
• London Sport (2017) Social return on investment in sport and physical activity for Greater London
• ERASMUS (2017-2019) Benefits of outdoor sport to society (BOSS)
• UK Sport (2017) Social value of medal success
• UK Sport (2017) Review of research and evidence on the social impact of major events
• Birmingham City Council (2016-2018) Run Birmingham Evaluation
• 4 Global (2016-2018) Social value calculator
• England Golf Partnership (2016) Social return on investment for golf in England
• Sheffield International Venues (2016) Social return on investment in sport for the Sheffield City Trust group of sports facilities
• Sport England (2015) Sport for development - a measurement framework
• DCMS (2013-2015) A review of the social impacts of engagement with culture and sport

Economics of sport

My research in this area derives from my PhD (2000) on the Economic Importance of Sport. My work focuses on measuring the economic value of the sports sector (Davies, 2002, 2002a, 2004) and the impact of major sports events (Davies et al, 2010, 2013; Ramchandani et al, 2015, 2017, Davies (2016b). In 2014, my publications contributed to a four star rated REF Impact case study: The economic and social impacts of major events and festivals.

Illustrative examples of my research in this area include

• Special Olympics (2017) Economic Impact of Special Olympics National Summer Games
• Sheffield City Council (2016) Usage and economic impact of the Porter Valley
• Sheffield City Council (2014) Economic analysis of the outdoor economy in Sheffield
• UK Sport (2014-2019): Evaluation of the UK Gold Event Series

Sport and Regeneration

My research on sport-related regeneration originates from my discipline background and interest in geography, combined with my current work in sport management and policy.

My publications in this area focus on three sub areas: the contribution of sports infrastructure to property regeneration (Davies, 2005, 2006, 2008); Olympic legacies (Davies, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016a) and the role of sport and community facilities to urban regeneration (Davies, 2010, 2011a, 2016).

Illustrative examples of my research in this area include

• Sport England (2013) Places, People, Play: Orford Park case study
• NWDA (2010) Sport and regeneration in NW England
• Urban Land Use Research Club (2004) The impact of sports stadia on residential and commercial property markets

For a full list of my research outputs see SHURA

I am the Co-Chair of the Sport England Sport Outcomes Evidence Review Update Advisory Group and was an academic expert for the initial review.

I am a Research Board Member of the parkrun Research Board

I am on the editorial board of Managing Sport and Leisure and I regularly review articles for a range of international sports and urban studies journals.

I am a member of the Social Value UK network and the Regional Studies Association.

I am a member of the interdisciplinary Outdoor Recreation Research Group at SHU

I am currently supervising five PhD students in the following areas

• Social impact of disadvantaged youth participating in sport (Natalie White)
• Social impact of group yoga for adults with moderate and severe learning disabilities (Sonia Chibb)
• Inspiration effect of major events (Ricardo DeSousa)
• Olympic Legacies and youth participation (Annie Smith)
• International sporting success factors for United Kingdom Paralympic athletes (Rebecca Peake)

I have successfully supervised PhD completions in the areas of sports facility procurement, and performance analysis in sport and leisure management.

I would welcome enquires from potential students wishing to study for a PhD in the following areas

• Social impact of sport
• Social Return on Investment
• Sports economics
• Major sports events
• Sport and urban regeneration

My work has received varying coverage in the media.  Some recent examples include:

• England Golf (2017) http://www.englandgolf.org/news.aspx?sitesectionid=38&itemid=12218&search= and http://www.englandgolf.org/news.aspx?sitesectionid=38&itemid=12146&search=and
• http://www.englishgolf-courses.co.uk/golfnews/Golf-has-social-value-of-1.8bn-pounds.html
• Sport Management (2017) http://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/Sport-features/5815/32137
• CABI (2016) http://www.cabi.org/leisuretourism/news/24947
• Sheffield chamber of commerce (2016): https://www.scci.org.uk/2016/04/the-social-value-of-sport/
• Active Humber (2016) http://www.activehumber.co.uk/news/2016/04/billions-saved-on-health-crime-and-education-as-a-result-of-sport-investment
• Leisure Opportunities2016)
http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&email=Terry.innov8sportzcic%40Gmail.com&pub=INN&date=160422&codeID=323537
• Cycling industry news (2016) http://www.cyclingindustry.news/sport-participation-worth-44-billion-in-social-return-says-sheffild-hallam-uni/