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 Group (SIRG), I lead our research in the area of social impact and Social Return on Investment (SROI). I also make contributions to other core areas of research including sports economics, major events, sports participation and outdoor recreation. I manage and conduct research and consultancy projects for a wide range of international and UK-based organisations, 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 the Research Excellence Framework (REF) coordinator for Unit of Assessment 24: Sport and Exercise Science, Leisure and Tourism (SHU).

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 focuses on the societal impact of sport.  It is multidisciplinary, applied and positioned at the interface between academia and practice. My research is focused on three broad areas, with aspects of applied economics common to all;

• Social impact and Social Return on Investment (SROI) in sport and physical activity
• Economics of sport
• Sport-related urban regeneration

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

I have developed an international programme of research focused on measuring and valuing the wider impacts of sport and physical activity on society, including health, subjective wellbeing, crime, education, and social capital.  This includes SROI research at the national, regional and local level, within the UK and internationally, for a wide range of organisations including national and local government, sports funding and delivery organisations. 

Journal articles

Davies, L., Taylor, P., Ramchandani, G., & Christy, E. (2020). Measuring the Social Return on Investment of community sport and leisure facilities. Managing Sport and Leisure. http://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2020.1794938

Kokolakakis, T., & Davies, L. (2019). Fit as a Fiddle. HCM Handbook 2019.

Davies, L., Taylor, P., Ramchandani, G., & Christy, E. (2019). Social return on investment (SROI) in sport: a model for measuring the value of participation in England. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. http://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2019.1596967

Eigenschenk, B., Thomann, A., McClure, M., Davies, L., Gregory, M., Dettweiler, U., & Inglés, E. (2019). Benefits of outdoor sports for society. A systematic literature review and reflections on evidence. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16 (6). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060937

Davies, L. (2016). A wider role for sport : community sports hubs and urban regeneration. Sport in Society, 19 (10), 1537-1555. http://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2016.1159192

Ramchandani, G., Davies, L., Coleman, R., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2015). Limited or lasting legacy? : the effect of non-mega sport event attendance on participation. European Sport Management Quarterly, 15 (1), 93-110. http://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2014.996583

Bullough, S., Davies, L., & Barrett, D. (2015). The impact of a community free swimming programme for young people (under 19) in England. Sport Management Review, 18 (1), 32-44. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2014.09.001

Davies, L., Coleman, R., & Ramchandani, G. (2013). Evaluating event economic impact : rigour versus reality? International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 4 (1), 31-42. http://doi.org/10.1108/17582951311307494

Davies, L. (2012). Beyond the Games: regeneration legacies and London 2012. Leisure Studies, 31 (3), 307-337. http://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2011.649779

Davies, L. (2011). Using sports infrastructure to deliver economic and social change: Lessons for London beyond 2012. Local Economy, 26 (4), 227-231. http://doi.org/10.1177/0269094211404638

Davies, L. (2010). Sport and economic regeneration: a winning combination? Sport in Society, 13 (10), 1438-1457. http://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2010.520935

Davies, L., Ramchandani, G., & Coleman, R. (2010). Measuring attendance: issues and implications for estimating the impact of free-to-view sports events. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 12 (1), 11-23. http://www.imrpublications.com/journal-landing.aspx?volno=L&no=L

Davies, L.E. (2008). Sport and the local economy: The effects of stadia development on the commercial property market. Local Economy, 23 (1), 31-46. http://doi.org/10.1080/02690940801906718

Davies, L.E. (2008). Sport and the local economy: the role of stadia in regenerating commercial property. Local Economy, 23 (1), 31-46. http://doi.org/10.1080/02690940801906718

Davies, L.E. (2006). Sporting a new role: stadia and the real estate market. Managing leisure: an international journal, 11 (4), 231-244. http://doi.org/10.1080/13606710600893726

Davies, L.E. (2005). Not in my back yard! Sports stadia location and the property market. Area, 37 (3), 268-276. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/

Davies, L.E. (2004). Valuing the voluntary sector: rethinking economic analysis. Leisure studies, 23 (4), 347-364. http://doi.org/10.1080/0261436042000209146

Davies, L.E. (2002). Consumers' expenditure on sport in the UK: Increased spending or under-estimation? Managing leisure: an international journal, 7 (2), 83-102. http://doi.org/10.1080/13606710210137237

Davies, L.E. (2002). Sport in the city: measuring economic significance at the local level. European sport management quarterly, 2 (2), 83-107. http://doi.org/10.1080/16184740208721915

Conference papers

Kokolakakis, T., Davies, L., & Jethmalani, S. (2017). Measuring the impact of sports stadia on property prices: A hedonic analysis of the Etihad Stadium, UK. In 9th ESEA conference on sport economics, Paderborn (Germany).

Peake, R., & Davies, L. (2019). Determining International Parasport Success Factors For Para-Athletics In The UK. In Breitbarth, T., Bodet, G., Luna, Á.F., Naranjo, P.B., & Bielons, G. (Eds.) European Sport Management Conference, Seville, Spain, 3 September 2019 - 6 September 2019 (pp. 691-692). Universidad Europea: https://easm2019.com/BOAEASM2019.pdf

Book chapters

Ramchandani, G., Coleman, R., Davies, L., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2017). Valuing the inspirational impacts of major sports events. In Lundberg, E., Armbrecht, J., Andersson, T.D., & Getz, D. (Eds.) The value of events. (pp. 136-158). Abingdon: Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/The-Value-of-Events/Lundberg-Armbrecht-Andersson-Getz/p/book/9781138678415

Ramchandani, G., Coleman, R., Davies, L., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2017). Valuing the inspirational impacts of major sports events. In The Value of Events. (pp. 124-135). http://doi.org/10.4324/9781315558950

Reports

Kokolakakis, T., Davies, L.A.R.I.S.S.A., Shibli, S., & Ramchandani, G. (2017). Active Lives Adult Survey:Understanding Mental Wellbeing, Individual Developmentand Social and Community Development in the context ofparticipation and volunteering in sport and physical activity. https://sportengland-production-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/active-lives-adult-survey-detailed-report-december-2017.pdf

Davies, L., Taylor, P., Ramchandani, G., & Christy, E. (2016). Social return on investment in sport : a participation wide model for England. Department for Culture, Media and Sport. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/_assets/pdf/research/sirc/Final-SIRC-SROI-England-Web-report.pdf

Taylor, P., Davies, L., Wells, P., Gilbertson, J., & Tayleur, W. (2015). A review of the social impacts of culture and sport. Department for Culture, Media and Sport. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416279/A_review_of_the_Social_Impacts_of_Culture_and_Sport.pdf

Kelly, S., Davies, L., Harrop, D., Mcclimens, A., Peplow, D., & Pollard, N. (2015). Reviewing art therapy research : a constructive critique. Sheffield Hallam University.

Kokolakakis, T., Gregory, M., Davies, L., & Barrett, D. (2014). Everything Grows Outside–Including Jobs and the Economy: Valuing the Contribution of the Outdoor Economy in Sheffield. Summary Report.

Kokolakakis, T., Gregory, M., Davies, L., & Barrett, D. (2014). Everything grows outside - including jobs and the economy. Valuing the contribution of the outdoor economy in Sheffield. http://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/content/images/fromassets/100_3329_161014125319.pdf

Kokolakakis, T., Shibli, S., & Davies, L. (2014). Child taking part survey: multivariate analysis of the determinants of child participation in arts, sport, heritage, museums and libraries.

Theses / Dissertations

Shibli, S. (2015). Performance analysis in sport and leisure management. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Davies, L.

Liu, K.Y. (2014). A critical evaluation of the Kaohsiung arena Build Operate Transfer project. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Davies, L., Watson, P., & Griffith, A.

External appointments (invited) 

• Editorial Advisory Board: Annals of Leisure Research, European Sport Management Quarterly (ESMQ), Managing Sport and Leisure, Frontiers in Active Sport and Living. 
• Board member: GO fit LAB Scientific Advisory Board.  Economic and social impact expert.
• Co-Chair of the Sport England Sport Outcome Evidence Review steering group. 
• Research Associate: Observatory for Sport in Scotland  
• Research Advisory Group member:  parkrun Research Board.   

 
Other academic activities: 

• I am the Research Excellence Framework (REF) coordinator for Unit of Assessment 24: Sport and Exercise Science, Leisure and Tourism (SHU). 
• I am a member of the Social Value UK /Social Value International 
• I am a member of the interdisciplinary Outdoor Recreation Research Group at SHU 

Joshua Dean.  The social impact of sport and crime.  PhD by Thesis (FT).  September 2022. (Director of Studies).

I welcome enquires from potential applicants interested in doctoral study 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/